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In Memoriam - 2005
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Sr. M. Rosaline Walsh Sr. M. Baptista Madden Sr. M. Sebastian Jellison
Sr. Helen Louise Connelly Sr. Kathryn Palas Sr. Anne Dowd
Sr. Mary Denis McKinley Sr. Louise de Paul Burke Sr. M. Sabina McGinley
Sr. M. Myra Yeager Sr. Catherine Louise Knorr Sr. Mary Rose Knorr
Sister M. Rosaline Walsh, SC
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Sister M. Rosaline Walsh, SC, age 87, died on Sunday, January 9, 2005, at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, Greensburg.
Preceded in death by her parents, John J. and Teresa A. (Fallon) Walsh, a brother, Reverend Thomas J. Walsh and two sisters, Teresa and Kathleen Walsh, she is survived by her sister, Mrs. R. (Margaret) Bauman and nieces and nephews. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Sister M. Rosaline entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1935, from Sacred Heart Parish, Shadyside . She earned a bachelor’s (Psychology/English) degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and a master’s (Special Education) degree from the University of Buffalo. In 1943, Sister M. Rosaline was missioned to The DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, where she taught until 1956. She taught at Sacred Heart School, Shadyside from 1956 through 1959, when she was assigned the principalship of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she remained until 1965. Sister M. Rosaline was subsequently assigned to Saint James School, Wilkinsburg, Saint Jane deChantal School in Bethesda, Maryland, and Lawrenceville Catholic School, Pittsburgh. From 1976 until 1981, she ministered as a pastoral assistant at Saint Teresa Parish in Munhall. In 1981, she was named a co-director of Saint Thomas More Manor, Pittsburgh, where she remained until 1986, when she became the receptionist at Elizabeth Seton Center, Brookline, a position she held until failing health forced her retirement in 1993. An excellent teacher and a gifted artisan, Sister M. Rosaline accepted Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s directive, “Love Him, who will be your All in death.”
Sister M. Baptista Madden, SC
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Sister M. Baptista Madden, SC, age 85, died on January 25, 2005, at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, Greensburg. Preceded in death by: her parents, Joseph E. and Helen F. (Lothamer) Madden, three brothers, Joseph E. Jr., Eugene E., James F., and two sisters, Sister Mary Ronald, S.C. and Rita E. Madden, she is survived by a brother, Robert J. Madden and a sister, Sister Joan Marie Madden, S.C., and nieces and nephews. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Sister M. Baptista entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1944, from Assumption Parish, Bellevue, Pennsylvania. She earned a Bachelor’s degree (U.S. History, Latin) from Seton Hill University and a Master’s degree (Guidance) from the Catholic University of America. She received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) from Seton Hill University in 1982. Sister M. Baptista taught in parish schools of the Altoona-Johnstown and Pittsburgh dioceses for three years before she was appointed Dean of Residence at Seton Hill University where she held the position for ten years before being appointed as Dean of Freshmen at Seton Hill, a position she held for six years. In 1964, she was appointed Director of Initial Formation for the congregation of the Sisters of Charity and in 1969, she was named General Secretary of the congregation. Sister M. Baptista was elected major superior in 1977, and re-elected in 1981. In her leadership position, Sister M. Baptista met the challenges of the renewal dictated by Vatican Council II, as it affected the lives of the Sisters of Charity, while exemplifying the distinguishing virtues of humility, simplicity and charity, to which all Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill aspire. She was a member of the Seton Hill University Board of Trustees where she served as secretary of the board from 1969 until 1977. She served as corporator and chair of the corporate members of the Jeannette District Memorial (now Mercy Jeannette) Hospital, and served as chair of the Tri-diocesan Sisters Leadership Conference (TDSLC) for religious superiors.
Sister M. Sebastian Jellison , SC
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Sister M. Sebastian Jellison, SC, age 86, died on Sunday, February 6, 2005, at
Caritas Christi, motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill. Preceded in death by her parents, Henry J. and Catherine (Griebel) Jellison, two brothers, Hilary and Regis Jellison, and two sisters, Theresa Jellison and Mrs. Charles (Catherine) Boeh, she is survived by a brother, Paul Jellison, and nieces and nephews. A native of Blairsville, Sister M. Sebastian entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill on September 8, 1937, from Saints Simon and Jude Parish, Blairsville. She earned a Bachelor’s (Social Studies) degree and a Master’s (Administration) degree from Duquesne University and was an elementary school teacher in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and in the Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and Tucson dioceses. She was a well-loved principal at Holy Cross School, Youngwood, Immaculate Conception School, Irwin and Saint Anselm School, Swissvale. From 1983 until 1991, Sister M. Sebastian was the Administrator and Superior of Assumption Hall, the former home for retired and infirm sisters. Gracious, dedicated, generous, and quick-witted, Sister M. Sebastian consistently lived the words of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, “Let all be in the order of God’s Providence, neither asking or refusing.”
Sister Helen Louise Connelly, SC
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Sister Helen Louise Connelly, SC, age 92, died on Friday, March 4, 2005, at Caritas Christi, motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill. Preceded in death by parents, Thomas J. and Margaret (Connelly) Connelly, three brothers, Michael, Brother Damien Julius, F.S.C., Brother Firmian Thomas, F.S.C., and two sisters, Sister Mary Amy, S.C., and Mrs. Edward (Anne) Hogan she is survived by a sister, Mrs. Harry (Katie) Friel, nieces and nephews. A native of Pittsburgh, Sister Helen Louise entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1929, from Saint Stephen Parish in Hazelwood. She earned a bachelor’s (Elementary Education) degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s (Deaf Education) degree from the University of Buffalo. Prior to 1938, Sister Helen Louise taught students in the dioceses of Pittsburgh and Tucson. She was missioned in 1938, to The DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, where she taught and served, alternately, as principal and assistant principal, until 1967, when she was appointed the administrator of Roselia Foundling and Maternity Hospital. She ministered in that position until 1970, when she was re-assigned to DePaul School where she remained until her retirement in 1987. During her years of ministry at DePaul, she, along with other sisters assigned to the school, taught religion to the hearing impaired students at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, in Wilkinsburg, and at Morganza, and to other handicapped students throughout the tri-state area. Sister Helen Louise and other members of the DePaul staff, offered free speech therapy, on Saturdays, for children of the Pittsburgh Diocese who suffered from defective speech. Never idle in retirement, Sister Helen Louise, a precise calligrapher, printed posters, cards and signs for any and all occasions, crocheted afghans, and organized stamp collections. Considered a wisdom figure in the congregation, Sister Helen Louise, was loved and respected by the sisters who often sought her counsel. Of her years of religious life she reflected, “I thank God and my community for the blessings, graces and love that I have received during my years as a Sister of Charity.”
Sister Kathryn Palas, SC
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Sister Kathryn Palas, SC, age 68, died on March 25, 2005, at Caritas Christi, motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill. Preceded in death by her father, Jacob A., (Jake) and a brother, Thomas, she is survived by her mother, Emily M. (Roberts) Palas, two brothers: Jake, Jr., and Patrick; four sisters, Sister Mary Lou Palas, S.C., Mrs. David (Vickie) Zebrasky, Mrs. Frank (Jackie) Rao, and Mrs. Paul (Rita) Silva and numerous nieces and nephews. Born in Ingram, Pennsylvania, Sister Kathryn entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1954, from Saint Patrick Parish, Noblestown. She earned a Bachelor’s (Biology, Chemistry) degree from Seton Hill University and a Master’s (Biology) degree from Purdue University. Sister Kathryn “Kay” began her ministry of teaching in elementary schools of the Altoona-Johnstown, Pittsburgh, and Tucson dioceses. She then taught secondary school students at Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown and Bishop Guilfoyle High School in Altoona. She also taught at Saint Anselm, Elizabeth Seton, Lawrenceville Catholic and Monongahela Valley high schools in the Pittsburgh diocese and Greensburg Central Catholic High School in the Greensburg diocese. She was named principal at Geibel Catholic High School, Connellsville. In 1982, Sister Kathryn taught at Seton-LaSalle High School where she remained until 1990, when she became Campus Minister at Seton Hill University.
She returned to Seton-LaSalle in 1992 and served as Campus Minister until 1994, when she was named Academic Vice Principal. Sister Kathryn was also an adjunct professor of biology at La Roche College and she taught Advanced Placement (AP) Biology in Seton-LaSalle’s SCHOLAR program and was named “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” in 1994. She served as chairperson of the Seton-LaSalle High School Academic Council and was involved in the school’s Pro-Life, Mission, Science, and Athletic projects. As a Sister of Charity, she participated in the Formation program, directed the Associate Program for the congregation and served on the Advisory Board for the newly organized Seton Family. Sister Kathryn was involved in Pro-Life and Peace and Justice issues and as a member of Seton Hill University Board of Trustees, she shared her expertise on the Student Interest Committee. During her golden jubilee celebration in July 2004, Sister Kathryn reflected on her life as a Sister of Charity, “Religious life blesses us with many opportunities and obstacles along the journey, yet what may have been perceived as obstacles were, in fact, opportunities for personal growth and a challenge to be creative.”
Sister Anne Dowd, SC
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Sister Anne Dowd, SC, age 87, died Sunday, May 22, 2005, at Caritas Christi, motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill. Preceded in death by parents, Andrew C. and Margaret L. (Shally) Dowd, six brothers, Joseph V., Richard J., John M., William F., James V., and Reverend Regis P. Dowd, S.T. and two sisters, Catherine Dowd and Mrs. R. A. (Mary) Gallagher, she is survived by a brother, Robert S. and twin sister, Sister Margaret Marie Dowd, SC and nieces and nephews. A Pittsburgh native, Sister Anne entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1936, from Saint Mary of the Mount Parish, Pittsburgh. She earned a bachelor’s (Education) degree from Duquesne University and taught primary grade children in schools of the dioceses of Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg, Pittsburgh and in the Archdiocese of Washington. She ministered in the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana, as a member of a teacher exchange program between the Sisters of Charity and the Sisters of the Holy Family. A dedicated and diligent teacher, Sister Anne reflected on her life as a Sister of Charity. “Pronouncing my vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience gave me deep joy and a sense of belonging to Christ. As a teacher, I felt enriched and privileged, especially in Louisiana, when I shared in the lives of good, deprived, black families.”
Sister Mary Denis McKinley, SC
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Sister Mary Denis McKinley, SC, age 89, died on Sunday, July 31, 2005, at Mercy Jeannette Hospital, Jeannette, PA. Preceded in death by parents, Archibald and Martha J. (McCall) McKinley, five brothers, John, Archibald, Robert, Lawrence and Hubert and two sisters, Mrs. George (Martha) Schrey and Mrs. Raymond (Audrey) Sheets(Mary) Gallagher and a cousin, Sister Bernardine Hefferon, S.C., she is survived by nieces and nephews.
A Pittsburgh native, Sister Mary Denis entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on April 12, 1936, from Saint Francis De Sales Parish, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. She earned a bachelor’s (Education) degree from Duquesne University and was a loving teacher of primary grade students and a mentor to new primary teachers. Sister Mary Denis taught students in the Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and Tucson dioceses and earned a “Master Teacher” award at Mother of Sorrows School in Murrysville, PA. After she retired from teaching, Sister Mary Denis ministered to ill and elderly residents at Murray Manor, in Murrysville and later served in various tasks related to business at the Sisters of Charity motherhouse. She always said that one of her greatest joys was in preparing little children to receive the Sacraments. Of her life of a Sister of Charity, she reflected, “During my years of religious life, I have learned that, with prayer and reaching out to others, I can do all things in Him, who strengthens me.”
Sister Louise de Paul Burke, SC
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Sister Louise de Paul Burke, SC, age 73, who died at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Greensburg, on Friday, September 2, 2005. Preceded in death by her parents. Anthony E. and Anna (Walsh) Burke, two brothers, Monsignor William F. and David F. Burke, and a sister, Mrs. Thomas J. (Anna) Vallely, she is survived by a brother, Anthony E. Burke, and three sisters, Mrs. Harold (Ethel) Groom, Mrs. William J. (Patricia) Fowler and Mrs. James (Cecelia) Kane. A New York native, Sister Louise de Paul entered the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill on September 8, 1961, from Saint William the Abbot Parish, Massapequa, New York. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Seton Hill University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Carlow University and ministered as teacher and principal in schools in the Pittsburgh Diocese. She taught at Saint Philip School, Crafton and was then assigned to Saint Luke School, Carnegie where she remained during the transitional years when the parish and school underwent various name changes, from Saint Luke, to Carnegie Catholic to Saint Elizabeth Seton School. She retired from the principalship of Saint Elizabeth Seton School in June 2004. Teaching children and spreading devotion to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, founder of the Sisters of Charity were the highlights of Sister Louise de Paul’s life. “I am happy to have entered the religious life,” she stated. “I will be a Sister of Charity until the day I die.”
Sister M. Sabina McGinley, SC
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Sister M. Sabina McGinley, SC, age 91, died at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Greensburg, on Thursday, September 8, 2005. Preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Margaret (Sullivan) McGinley, two brothers, Anthony T. and James F. McGinley and three sisters, Margaret Friel, Mary Hokamp, and Mrs. Henry (Catherine) Gannon, she is survived by several nieces. A native of Pittsburgh, Sister M. Sabina entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on March 25, 1934, from Saint Stephen Parish, Hazelwood. She earned a bachelor’s (English/Social Studies) degree from Duquesne University and was a teacher of students of the middle grade/ junior high level in diocesan schools of Greensburg and Pittsburgh. Sister M. Sabina ministered as principal at Saint Luke School, Carnegie and Saint Kieran School in Lawrenceville and at the Cathedral School, now Aquinas Academy, in Greensburg. After she retired from the classroom in 1988, Sister M. Sabina ministered as an aide at Seton Senior Citizens Center in Brookline until her retirement to Caritas Christi in 1999. A pleasant, even-tempered, down-to-earth person, Sister M. Sabina embraced the teaching of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, “My daily object is to take every event gently and quietly, and oppose good nature and cheerfulness to every contradiction.”
Sister M. Myra Yeager, SC
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Sister M. Myra Yeager, SC, age 87, died at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Greensburg, on Friday, September 30, 2005. Born in Toledo, Ohio, Sister Myra entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1944, from Gesu Parish in Toledo. Preceded in death by parents, Edward N. and Loretta M. (Degnan) Yeager, two sisters: Mary Edna Yeager and Mrs. Adeamer (Adeline) Gouttiere, she is survived by niece, Anita O’Leary and nephew, Thomas Gouttiere. She earned a bachelor’s (Education) degree from Seton Hill University and taught students of the intermediate level in diocesan schools of Greensburg, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and Tucson. She taught religious education classes at Holy Trinity Parish in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese from 1975 until 1977. Her longest tenure was at Saint James School, Wilkinsburg, where she taught for a number of years and, after retirement from the classroom, continued her ministry as moderator of the Ladies of Charity in the parish. Forever young, Sister Myra took computer classes and became an avid “internet surfer” for genealogical research and to “connect with relatives.” An advocate for the poor, she corresponded with legislators seeking debt relief for poor nations. Of her life as a Sister of Charity, Sister Myra reflected, “I feel very gifted that I received the call to my vocation. My religious life has meant everything to me.” Her serene presence and beautiful smile will be missed!
Sister Catherine Louise Knorr, SC
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Sister Catherine Louise Knorr, SC, age 87, died Wednesday, November 23, 2005, at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, Greensburg. A Pittsburgh native, Sister Catherine Louise entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1939, from Resurrection Parish in Brookline. Preceded in death by her parents, Jacob J. and Charlotte L. (Trischler) Knorr, four brothers, James J., George H., Monsignor Joseph H., Clyde G., and a sister, Mrs. James (Dorothy) Hogan, she is survived by three sisters, Sister Mary Rose, S.C., Mrs Robert (Theresa) Albert and Mrs. John (Virginia) Fauth and nieces and nephews. Sister Catherine Louise earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Seton Hill University and, for forty-five years, taught students of the intermediate level in schools of the Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg, and Pittsburgh dioceses. Twenty-four years of her teaching ministry were spent at Sacred Heart School in Shadyside, where she supervised the Learning Center for ten years. In retirement, Sister Catherine Louise was the switchboard operator at Assumption Hall, the former motherhouse of the sisters. In reflecting on her life as a Sister of Charity, she said, “I thank the Lord daily for my religious vocation and the graces he has give me over the many years dedicated to him.”
Sister Mary Rose Knorr, SC
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Sister Mary Rose Knorr, SC, age 90, died Tuesday, November 29, 2005, at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, Greensburg. Sister Mary Rose entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1938, from Resurrection Parish, Brookline. Preceded in death by her parents, Jacob J. and Charlotte L. (Tritschler) Knorr, four brothers, Clyde G., George H., James J., Monsignor Joseph H., and two sisters, Sister Catherine Louise, S.C. and Mrs. James T. (Dorothy) Hogan, she is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Robert (Theresa) Albert and Mrs. John A. (Virginia) Fauth and nieces and nephews. She earned a bachelor’s degree (Business, English) from the University of Pittsburgh and taught students of the secondary level in the Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg, and Pittsburgh dioceses. She was principal at Saint John the Baptist High School, Pittsburgh, ministered in the Treasurer’s Office at Seton Hill University, and, after her retirement served in the Archives of the Sisters of Charity. Generous and hardworking, Sister Mary Rose once reflected on her life as a Sister of Charity, “I am grateful the Lord invited me to enter religious life. I knew I would be living with women who had the same desire and ideals that I had and that is to get to know Him better and to serve Him through prayer and work. Doing God’s will always brings peace and happiness.”