About Us In Memoriam From the founding of the new Holy Family Province in May 2007 through the present day, we have entrusted the souls of these sisters to new life in the Lord. We remember their contributions to our community and our ministries, and we pray they are enjoying their place at the heavenly banquet. 
 Sr. Jeanette Martell
Sept. 28, 1931 — December 26, 2008
Born in Norwich, CT, Sr. Jeanette Martell was the youngest of four children. After graduating from the local high school, she worked as a bank teller before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in December 1951. She served in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and in Boston, MA, as a disbursing pay clerk and a recruiting officer, respectively.
Sr. Jeanette earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business education from Marywood College in Scranton, PA. She briefly taught elementary school (St. Adalbert’s, Elmhurst, NY) and spent most of her career teaching at the high school level in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. She also was principal at St. Isidore School, Riverhead, NY; and St. John Cantius and Sts Cyril & Methodius schools, both in Brooklyn, NY.
Twice she served as provincial treasurer for the former Immaculate Heart of Mary Province in Monroe, CT. Sr. Jeanette retired to the Monroe convent in 2007, and suffered a heart attack in October 2008. Her funeral on a sunny Dec. 30 included full military honors, with a two-person honor guard who formally laid the U.S. flag on her coffin before playing Taps and presenting the flag to the family.
 Sr. Barbara Ellen Smoliniska
Jan. 16, 1919 — December 19, 2008
A native of Brooklyn, NY, Barbara Smolinska graduated from Our Lady of Czestochowa School and attended public high school before attending school at Nazareth Academy in Torresdale (Philadelphia), PA. She joined the sisters in 1939, and received her religious name, "Mary Malvina," when she became a novice. After Vatican II, when sisters were permitted to return to their baptismal names, Sr. M. Malvina chose to be know as Sr. M. Barbara Ellen.
For some 50 years, she taught small children, mostly first graders, in schools in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Maryland. She was know in the community as a humble woman, a good story-teller with a dry wit and great humor. She had a great love of animals, particularly some convent dogs whom she encouraged to perform for visitors.
Sr. Barbara Ellen was devoted to St. Anthony, as well as to St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother. Sisters regularly asked Sr. Barbara Ellen to pray to St. Anthony for help in finding lost articles. And when the item resurfaced, Sr. Barbara Ellen would note that she must give St. Anthony a hug and a kiss.
Sr. Barbara Ellen retired to Marian Heights in Monroe, CT, in 2005. Eventually, she suffered a stroke, seeking comfort from St. Anthony and her stuffed animal dog. She died on Dec. 19 as the first heavy snowstorm of the season was moving across Connecticut.
 Sr. M. Ancilla Zebrowska
March 23, 1918 — November 28, 2008
Genevieve Zebrowska was born in Philadelphia, moving with her family to Port Richmond, PA, where they joined St. Adalbert's Church. Genevieve began her schooling at the public school and later transferred when the family moved to St. Adalbert's. There she met the sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and began to consider a religious vocation, entering the aspirancy program with the sisters in Torresdale, PA. Now Sr. M. Ancilla, she pronounced her perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1945, the Feast of the Assumption.
Sr. Ancilla held a B.S. in biology from Catholic University of America, a certificate in religious studies from Providence College in Rhode Island and later earned a master's in religious studies from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
From 1946-77, she taught elementary and high school students in Philadelphia, Baltimore, MD, and Scranton, PA. She also served as a parish minister in Baltimore and Scranton. She was best known among the sisters as Mistress of Novices from 1958-68. A lover of nature, she found the grounds of Meadowbrook, the former Philadelphia Novitiate, a welcome place for contemplation as well as a gardening challenge for all the novices.
 Sr. Alice Herubin
Oct. 1, 1912 — November 13, 2008
The second of seven children, Alice (Alexandra) Herubin was baptized at St. Adalbert Church in Dillonvale, OH. Alexandra attended the parish school, where she was taught by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Her family, the sisters and her parish priest all encouraged her to consider religious life. Alexandra entered the community in 1928 in Pittsburgh. As a novice, she received the name "Sr. Mary Ambrose," returning to the use of her baptismal name in the 1960s.
Sr. Alice's ministerial life was devoted to education. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, and a master's in theology from the University of Detroit. Over the years, she taught at St. Mary School, Gallitzin, PA; junior high and high school at St. Stanislaus School, Mt. Nazareth Academy, Holy Family Institute, Holy Family School and St. Hyacinth School, all in Pittsburgh, PA; St. Stanislaus, Cleveland, OH, and St. Augustine Academy, Lakewood, OH. In Michigan, she taught at St. Francis Cabrini HS, Allen Park; St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Waterford, and St. Barbara School, Dearborn.
In 1988, Sr. Alice began caring for family members, a sister and two brothers. In 2000 after her sister's death, Sr. Alice retired to Holy Family Manor, Pittsburgh. She died on the feast of St. Stanislaus Kostka, a day she told her fellow sisters "would be a beautiful day to go home to Jesus."
 Sr. M. Edna Korzeniecka
July 15, 1917 — November 3, 2008
Sr. Edna's gentle nature and generous spirit were no doubt influenced by her role as a twin, sharing her early years with her sister, Loretta.
Born on the South Side of Chicago, the twin girls were baptized at Assumption BVM Parish. As a child, Edna traveled with her family on vacations across the country, finding God in the beauty of creation, the grandeur of the Rockies and the power of the oceans. With her family, her joy and wonder also were expressed in a love of music.
Young Edna entered the Sisters of the Holy Family after completing elementary school. A teacher, school principal, convent superior and parish organist, Sr. Edna taught at Chicago's St. Hyacinth, St. Blase, St. Ann and St. Andrew's schools. At St. Andrew's, she served as teacher and organist, devoting many years to children in kindergarten and first grade.
Sr. Edna also served as superior of Our Lady of Hope and St. Ladislaus convents, as the portress at Holy Family Academy on Division Street, Chicago, and as a part-time tutor at St. Emily's school in Mt. Prospect, IL. She retired to Nazarethville in October 1995.
 Sr. M. Joanita Paciorka
Oct. 7, 1908 — July 24, 2008
Less than three months shy of her 100th birthday, Sr. M. Joanita Paciorka slipped quietly away on the afternoon of July 24. Although she enjoyed long life, her death was somewhat unexpected.
Cecilia Paciorka was one of the eight children of Francis and Veronica Paciorka from Scranton, PA. This close-knit family contributed two vocations to the CSFNs – Sr. Joanita and her younger sister, Sr. Estelle, who continues to reside at Marian Heights in Monroe, CT. Family visits to the convents where the sisters were stationed were joyous occasions; sisters who met the Paciorkas were always made to feel a part of this loving family.
Cecilia entered the congregation in 1923. She was received into the novitiate at Des Plaines, IL, in 1925; pronounced first vows in Des Plaines in 1927, and made perpetual vows in Torresdale, PA, in 1933. With the exception of the three years she was superior at St. Christopher’s Home in Sea Cliff, NY, Sr. Joanita’s life ministry was teaching. From 1927 to retirement, she served at schools in Philadelphia, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. In 1992, she retired to Marian Heights in Monroe.
Those who shared reflections on Sr. Joanita’s life say little about what she did, but much about who she was as a person. She was the concerned teacher who wrote letters to a former student in the military. She was the teacher who loved and taught by example. Sisters who knew Sr. Joanita for decades say they never heard her voice raised in anger in the classroom or in the convent. They say that Sr. Joanita knew who she was, loved who she was and loved others in the same way.
 Sr. M. Adrianne Pelkowski
Nov. 30, 1908 — July 3, 2008
Although she lost a twin sister at birth, Sr. M. Adrianne Pelkowski grew up with no shortage of siblings, four brothers and seven sisters. In her early years, the family lived in the country and she attended public school. When she was 13, the Pelkowskis moved to town, and Mary attended St. Stanislaus School in Erie, PA. There, she noted, her “religious vocation was ignited by a visiting missionary priest who spoke to us about religious vocations.” After her mother’s death, Mary entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1924 in Avalon, PA. Initially, her father objected, but “later relented, telling me that my mother came to him in a dream and told him to permit any of their girls who wanted to be nuns to do so.” Later, Mary’s younger sister, Victoria, “had no trouble securing his permission to enter.”
Sr. Adrianne’s ministry began in education, shifting to health care in 1935. She earned her nursing diploma in 1937 and her B.S. in Nursing from Duquesne University in 1947. For 45 years, Sr. Adrianne served as a nurse, administrator and, in retirement, provided pastoral care at various hospitals. In Pennsylvania, she was affiliated with Ohio Valley General Hospital, McKees Rocks; Mercy Hospital (now Altoona Regional Health Care System), and Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia. In 2001, representing Bon Secours Holy Family Regional Health System, Sr. Adrianne received the Mission Advancement Award from the CSFN congregation.
Sr. Adrianne was the first superior and administrator of Holy Family Manor, Pittsburgh, PA, serving for five years. Later, she would spend 20 years in retirement at the Manor. Several generations of the Pelkowski family joined many sisters and friends on July 5 for Sr. Adrianne’s funeral liturgy at the Manor Chapel.
 Sr. M. Theodore Dobrowolska
March 19, 1919 — July 1, 2008
A native of Portland, ME, Jane Josephine Dobrowolska moved with her parents and three brothers to Brooklyn, NY, when she was 11. These were the days of the Depression, and years later, Sr. Theodore could recall standing in bread lines for food. Jane Josephine attended New York public schools, and credits her 7th-grade teacher for encouraging her to learn more about God and her faith. By age 16, Jane Josephine was attending daily mass. At age 17, she became a postulant of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth whom she met through Sts. Cyril & Methodius Parish in Brooklyn.
Sr. Theodore earned her bachelor’s in education from Villanova University, and began her teaching ministry, spending 44 years in parish classrooms in Utica, NY; Scranton, McAdoo and Philadelphia, PA; Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, FL, and Baltimore, MD. In 1976, she resumed her own studies at Marywood University, earning a master’s in religious education. This led to a new ministry in Baltimore as director of the RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). This ministry and her continuing spiritual search led to her involvement with charismatic renewal and a variety of faith-sharing groups.
For 18 years of her life as a CSFN, Sr. Theodore served as local superior at convents including Nazareth Hospital, St. John Neumann Nursing Home, St. Hedwig’s and St. Anthony’s, all in the Philadelphia area.
In 1997, she retired to Mt. Nazareth, Philadelphia, first battling lymphoma and later recuperating from double-bypass surgery. She continued to volunteer for the RCIA program at St. Christopher Parish. In her ministries and in her retirement, she was known as a sister who lived life to the fullest, in service to the Lord and his people.
 Sr. M. Celeste Huszcza
Sept. 6, 1918 — June 18, 2008
A native of Brooklyn, NY, Emilia Huszcza was born to parents, Camille and Alexander, who themselves were born in Wilno, Poland. They emigrated to the U.S., settled on Staten Island, and then moved to St. John Cantius Parish in Brooklyn where Emilia was born. When she five, a sister, Helen, was born.
Emilia first encountered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth at the parish school, where she was a star student who played piano for school shows. She joined the congregation in 1936 in Philadelphia, making her final profession in 1945.
Music, languages and learning played important roles in Sr. Celeste’s life. One of her fondest memories was playing a minuet by Paderewski for senior graduation. Over the years, she learned to play the organ, trombone, trumpet and saxophone. While at Nazareth Academy, she helped organize the Sisters’ Orchestra.
In 1954, she went to Rome to study theology at Regina Mundi Institute. Knowing Latin, she excelled in class. Subsequently, she taught theology at Holy Family College and St. Hubert High School, both in Philadelphia, and at Nativity BVM Catholic High School, Pottsville, PA.
Sr. Celeste continued her language studies at Middlebury College, VT, where she received her Ph.D. in modern languages. She spent a year studying in Spain, and later taught several years at Colegio Espiritu Santo in Puerto Rico.
In 1998, her health starting to fail, she returned to Mt. Nazareth, Philadelphia. She is remembered as she wished: “as a scholar, a good piano player, and a sister who loved languages.” She shared much wisdom with her fellow sisters, including this: “Make spiritual wealth a priority.”
 Sr. Leona Vargo
Dec. 3, 1910 — April 28, 2008
Despite some low-key match-making by the parish priest (“He wanted me to marry the organist who was related to him!"), the former Anna Vargo followed her 8th-grade dream and entered the Nazareth community just before turning 18.
A native of Gallitzin, PA, she spent summers picking berries with her family, traveling by train with her mother and sister to Altoona to sell them. As a postulant in Pittsburgh, she taught at Immaculate Heart of Mary, then moved to St. Stanislaus, Cleveland, teaching 90 third-graders.
Asked by the Provincial Superior to change her ministry to nursing, Sr. Leona attended Ohio Valley General Hospital for her RN, then Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, for her B.S. Eventually, she served at the then new Mercy Hospital in Altoona (now Altoona Regional Health System). Sr. Leona also ministered at Ohio Valley General Hospital, McKees Rocks, PA; Holy Family Institute; and Holy Family Manor and Mt. Nazareth Learning Center, both in Pittsburgh.
In her senior year at nursing school, she was supervisor of the operating room. At various times, she was a nursing supervisor and director of nursing. Acknowledging her skills as well as her kindness, many of her fellow sisters called her “Dr. Vargo.”
 Sr. M. Clementine Wisniewska
May 8, 1918 — March 31, 2008
The oldest of three daughters, Sophie Wisniewska grew up in Camden, NY, working as a seamstress at Nanette Manufacturing until her family opened its own shop when she was 26. A devoted member of the local Sodality, Sophie joined the congregation when she was 28, utilizing her skills to sew habits for the sisters. She graduated from Holy Family University and earned her masters degree from Villanova University.
Her teaching ministry brought her to St. Adalbert in Port Richmond, Philadelphia; St. John Cantius, Bridesburgh, PA, and Nazareth Academy, Philadelphia. “Sister Clem” next taught math at Little Flower High School for Girls, Philadelphia, for 24 years. After ‘retiring,’ she worked in the high school office for seven years. She was known as a thoughtful correspondent who also delighted in writing letters for sisters who no longer could do so. She was a woman who believed in living a balanced life which included daily walks as weather and her health permitted. Devoted to Mary, and on the feast of the Annunciation celebrated late this year due to the Easter calendar, she died of pneumonia while peacefully sitting in her hospital chair.
 Sr. Antonilla Guzek
April 14, 1918 — March 30, 2008
The second of six children, Loreta Guzek was baptized at St. Adalbert Church in Whiting, IN. As a young woman, she worked at Standard Oil Co. in the candle factory, often going to work with her father. She loved to travel, and after a trip to Europe, she announced her plan to enter the convent. Upon learning this — and that Loreta was interested in nursing -- the sisters at St. Adalbert’s made sure she knew that that the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth also were involved in nursing.
Once she made her decision, Loreta stayed home to help her mother care for her ailing father and the family business. After his death, she entered Nazareth at age 38 at Des Plaines, IL. She brought much to the community — including her ability to drive and her car.
After professing temporary vows, Sr. Antonilla was transferred to Colorado Springs, where she served as a driver and Sacristan, also helping prepare children for First Communion. She returned to Des Plaines and had a variety of assignments, frequently serving as the house driver wherever her ministry took her. Her last assignments were as Finance Director at Nazarethville and as its Director of Purchasing. She retired in 2000, moving from staff position to resident. On Easter Sunday this year, she asked to go to the hospital, where she was called home to the Lord a week later.
 Sr. Alexandra Budzinski
May 15, 1918 — March 6, 2008
A native of South Bend, IN, Alice Budzinski entered the Congregation in 1938 at Des Plaines, IL. Early on, Sr. Alexandra was sent to Milwaukee, WI, for cooking school. She loved to cook and fix ‘favorites’ for sisters, family and friends. Those skills were particularly useful when she later served as the Econome for the Des Plaines Provincialate and in the dietary department at Holy Family Hospital.
Sr. Alexandra spent 29 of her 70 years in the Community at the Des Plaines Provincialate, where she eventually served as local superior.
In 1971, she was elected to the General Chapter and returned with a new assignment — Provincial of the Sacred Heart Province (Des Plaines). She was provincial during busy times: the post-Vatican II era, when vocations were declining and sisters leaving the community; during the construction of Nazarethville, as well as building additions at St. Mary of Nazareth and Holy Family Hospitals. In later years, she served in the Dietary Department at Holy Family Hospital, then as Superior at Nazarethville. Residents, staff and sisters say she was noted for her kindness and caring to everyone. Another stint at the Provincialate was followed by her final move to Nazarethville in 2001 following a stroke from which she never fully recovered.
 Sr. M. Rosaline Karolak
Feb. 29, 1912 — March 5, 2008
Sr. M. Rosaline Karolak traveled the world but found her home at Nazareth. A Pittsburgh native baptized at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, young Helen Karolak and her siblings were placed at Holy Family Institute after their mother died, while their father worked, paying room and board. The younger children returned home when her father remarried, but Helen, already in her teens, remained at Holy Family. She entered the Congregation in 1925 in Pittsburgh. Sr. Rosaline earned bachelors and master’s degrees in education from Duquesne University.
Sr. Rosaline was sent to minister in Europe before the start of WWII. While in Poland, she served as an informant on the progress of the war. Hiding in the attic with a radio, she has messages waiting for Fr. Jan Pietraszko who relayed these to Church leaders. She returned to the U.S. in 1942, and by chance, served as a translator on the ship for the U.S. government prior to disembarking.
As an educator and organist, Sr. Rosaline ministered in Italy, Poland, Australia and the U.S., serving in Pittsburgh, PA; Cleveland, OH, and Lansing and Detroit, MI. During her active ministry and into her retirement at Holy Family Manor, she was an avid reader and faithful correspondent with friends across the globe. She died with her sister Bernice, other family and sisters at her side.
 Sr. Mary de Lourdes Zdrojewski
June 8, 1916 — January 5, 2008
A native of Brooklyn, NY, Bernardette Catherine Zdrojewski followed her older sister Salomea (who became Sr. Amabalis), joining the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth as an aspirant in Philadelphia on Feb. 11, 1931. In 1936, she was given the name ‘Sr. Mary de Lourdes’ in honor of her devotion to Mary’s apparition at Lourdes and her namesake, St. Bernardette.
While still a novice, Sr. de Lourdes was recognized for her prayerfulness as well as her quick wit and the ability to find laughter in the ordinary foibles of daily life. Small of stature, she was noted for her great energy, talent and creativity in both the convent and the classroom.
She began teaching in 1938 at St. John Cantius School, Bridesburg, PA, an assignment of 10 years, before moving to St. Andrew and St. Joseph parish schools in New York. Her skill in teaching children with reading problems became a special focus; she taught remedial reading at St. Adalbert, Queen of Peace and St. Katherine of Siena, Philadelphia, and at Sacred Heart of Mary, Baltimore. Next, she ‘taught’ the teachers – as the community’s Supervisor of schools, and then at Holy Family University, where she also directed the Reading Clinic. When others talked of retirement, she continued to serve the needs of special education children for the past 14 years.
In November 2007, she began to experience health problems, followed by a heart attack and stroke. Sr. de Lourdes died on the first Saturday of January, the feast of St. John Newmann, the founder of the Philadelphia Archdiocesan School System she had served with such joy.
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