Obituaries

Celebrate with us the lives of our Sisters, who have gone before us and have answered God’s call in her own unique way. If you are having trouble finding the obituary of one of our Sisters, please email info@oppeace.org for assistance.

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Dominican Sister of Peace Helen O’Sullivan

Dominican Sister of Peace Sister Helen O’Sullivan, OP

Dominican Sister of Peace Helen (Michael Ann) O’Sullivan, OP, (81), went home to God on September 30, 2022, at Sansbury Care Center in St. Catharine, KY.

Sr. Helen was a native of Brooklyn, NY, born to Anna Elizabeth Melvin and Robert O’Sullivan on July 16, 1941. She attended St. Catharine College, where she heard God’s call to religious life and entered the Congregation in 1960. She took her final vows in 1967 and celebrated her 60th Jubilee in 2022. Sr. Helen earned her Bachelor of Science in Education and Social Science from Siena College and both her master’s in education in Personalized Learning and her Master of Arts in Organizational Development from Loyola University. She also earned a certificate in Spiritual Leadership from the Jesuit School of Theology in Chicago. She served as an elementary school teacher and principal in Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, and West Virginia.

After a sabbatical at the Jesuit School of Theology in Boston, Sr. Helen served as a Case Manager for the Homeless and Program Supervisor at the Pine Street Inn in Boston and, later, as the Administrator of the Paul Sullivan Homeless Shelter. She loved this ministry because, as she wrote in her annals, “Advocating for the homeless and helping them to see the goodness in themselves has been one of the most rewarding things for me since becoming a Sister.”

Sr. Helen served her Congregation as Mission Group Coordinator at Saint Catharine Motherhouse, also extending gracious hospitality to other Mission Groups when they held their meetings at Saint Catharine. After this time, she returned to her work with the homeless in Boston. She came home to St. Catharine for her final ministries of prayer and service in 2017.

Sr. Helen loved the water and spent many happy hours sailing with friends and family. In her reflection, Sr. Rosemary Rule compared her life to the Book of Mark. “She believed with all her heart, even when it was hard to do, that Jesus was in the boat with her and would calm the trouble.  She might have to wake Him up, but He was with her and would take care of things.  Prayer and her Bible reassured her that her beliefs were solid.”

A visitation was held on October 6 and the Funeral Mass was held on October 7, both at the Sansbury Care Center Chapel. Burial was in the St. Catharine Motherhouse cemetery.

To donate in Sr. Helen O’Sullivan’s memory, please click here.

To download a printable copy of this memorial, click here.

Memorial gifts in Sr. Helen O’Sullivan’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr. Columbus, OH 43219 or oppeace.org.

Posted in Obituaries

Sister Rosemary Cina, OP

Dominican Sister of Peace Rosemary Cina, OP

Dominican Sister of Peace Rosemary (Miriam Loretto) Cina, OP (85), a native of Brooklyn, NY, died on September 25, 2022, at Sansbury Care Center in St. Catharine, KY.

Sr. Rosemary was born to Anthony J. and Laurette Touhey Cina on June 29, 1937. After working for a few years as a bookkeeper Sr. Rosemary answered God’s call and entered the Congregation in 1960. She made final profession in 1962 and served God and God’s people for 60 years.

Sr. Rosemary earned her Bachelor of Arts in English, Philosophy and Psychology from Siena College and ministered as a teacher in Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, and West Virginia. She returned to study at Rosary College in 1972 and earned her Master of Arts in Library Science. She served as a librarian in Illinois and New York for more than two decades.

While Sr. Rosemary was a soft-spoken woman who did not seek the spotlight, her talents were obvious. She was asked to serve as the Administrative Assistant for the Congregational Leadership Team and as Archivist for twelve years. She cherished the many historical documents and artifacts of the Congregation’s long history in Kentucky.

In 2008, Sr. Rosemary moved to Rosary Manor and ministered as a resident volunteer. She loved dogs and was a regular dog sitter for friends and neighbors.

Sr. Rosemary returned to Sr. Catharine in 2018, where she began her final ministry of prayer and presence at the St. Catharine Motherhouse, and in 2019, at the Sansbury Care Center.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Gabrielle Cina, nephew Robert Cina, several cousins, and members of the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

The welcome and visitation for Sr. Rosemary were held on October 3 at the Sansbury Care Center Chapel. The funeral was held on October 4, at Sansbury Care Center Chapel. Sr. Rosemary was interred at the St. Catharine Motherhouse cemetery.

To donate in Sr. Rosemary Cina’s memory, please click here.

To download a printable copy of this memorial, click here.

Memorial gifts in Sr. Rosemary Cina’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr. Columbus, OH 43219 or oppeace.org.

 

Posted in News, Obituaries

Sister Mary Giovanni Cody, OP

Dominican Sister of Peace Mary Giovanni Cody, OP

Dominican Sister of Peace Mary Giovanni Cody (Patricia Ann) (86) died September 14, 2022, at the Philadelphia Protestant Home in Philadelphia, PA.  She was born January February 4, 1936, in Philadelphia, PA, the beloved only child of Raymond and Helen Jurkofsky Cody.

Prior to entering religious life, she graduated from St. Boniface Business School in Philadelphia, PA, and worked in business for 10 years.

She entered the Dominican Sisters community in 1962 and pronounced vows in 1964.  Known fondly as Sister Gio, she served God and God’s people as a Dominican Sister for 58 years,

She began her service to the Church at the Fatima Retreat House in Indiana. During this time, she obtained a CCD Certificate and a Gabriel Richard Leadership Certificate and taught CCD classes at the retreat house.  In her next ministry, she cared for the elderly sisters at St. Catherine Hall in Elkins Park, PA.  This experience led her to her vocation as a nurse. In 1980 she entered the School of Practical Nursing at the Presbyterian University of Pennsylvania Medical Center and ministered there as a GPN/LPN for the next 20 years.

In 2000 Sister Gio retired from nursing and began her family, neighborhood, and prayer ministry.  She cared for those around her with the same love and affection that she gave to her patients.  One of the things that she enjoyed was walking, and no doubt talking, with friends and neighbors.  She also enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, and watching her beloved Phillies.  No doubt, she will be cheering for them from on high.

One of Gio’s favorite hymns was “Be Not Afraid”. This should not surprise us since she was not afraid to answer God’s call sixty years ago. She was not afraid to change ministries so that she could find those she could best serve. And she was not afraid to face death because she knew she “would see the face of God and live.”

Sister Mary Giovanni was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her aunt, Teresa (Jurkofsky) Cantz, many first and second cousins, and the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

Visitation and the Funeral Mass were held Friday, September 23 at St. Anne’s Church in Philadelphia, PA. Sr. Mary Giovanni’s place and time of interment will be announced at a later date.

To donate in Sr. Mary Giovanni Cody’s memory, please click here.

To download a printable copy of this memorial, click here.

Memorial gifts in Sr. Giovanni Cody’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr. Columbus, OH 43219 or oppeace.org.

 

Posted in News, Obituaries

Sr. Alicia Alvarado, OP

Dominican Sister of Peace Alicia Alvarado

Dominican Sister of Peace Alicia (Maria Alicia) Alvarado, OP (73), died on September 17, 2022, at the Regina Health Care Center in Akron, OH.

Sr. Alicia was a native of Villalba, Puerto Rico, one of seven children born to Rosa Maria Rodriguez and Felipe Alvarado. Her family immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio, when she was a child, and she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Secondary Education from Cleveland State University, a Certificate from the College Parallel Program from Cuyahoga Community College, and a Master of Arts in Social Sciences from Case Western University.

Sr. Alicia worked as a Social Services Coordinator for the Spanish American Committee in Cleveland. In 1979, she received a call from God to enter religious life. She took her final vows in 1985 and lived vowed Dominican life for 40 years.

Sr. Alicia spent the majority of her religious life in ministry to her beloved Latine family. She served as Hispanic Program Coordinator for Cleveland’s Commission on Community Action, as Associate Director of Hispanic Ministry in the Toledo Diocese, and as a family counselor. She returned to college in 1989 to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Radio and TV Production and used this new set of skills to continue to minister to the Latine community and to work for social justice.

Sr. Alicia traveled extensively in her work for social justice, including to Colombia, Chile, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. No task was too big or too small, as she did everything from driving a van in an outreach ministry to serving on the National Farm Workers Board to serving as a member of Leadership for her congregation.

Sr. Alicia received numerous awards and recognitions for her community service, including induction into the Cleveland Ohio International Hall of Fame in 2018, the Individual Award for Justice and Peace by the Cleveland Commission on Catholic Community Action in 2003, and the 2004’s Madrina Award (Godmother of the Community).  She belonged to numerous professional societies and was the first Hispanic woman on the Board of Trustees of Cuyahoga Community College in 2001.

Despite the recognition she received, Sr. Alicia remained more concerned for those around her than herself. In fact, a friend described her life’s priorities as “God is first. The poor and the needy, and the weak in the community and her family next. Alicia is always last.”

Sister Alicia is survived by sisters Carmen, Lucia Marie and Lourdes Dorsey; brothers Philip, George, and Alberto. She was preceded in death by her father, Felipe and mother, Rosa.

A Funeral Mass was offered at Our Lady of the Elms Chapel in Akron, OH on September 22. Per her request, Sr. Alicia’s body has been donated to science.

To donate in Sr. Alicia Alvarado’s memory, please click here.

To download a printable copy of this memorial, click here.

Memorial gifts in Sr. Alicia’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr. Columbus, OH 43219 or oppeace.org.

Posted in Obituaries

Sister Jolene Geier, OP

Sr. Jolene Geier, OP

Dominican Sister of Peace Jolene (Antoinette Marie) Geier, OP (84), a native of Garden City, KS, died September 14, 2022, at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse in Great Bend, KS.

Sr. Jolene was born to Josephine Lavenstein and Anthony Geier on January 1, 1938.

In her first year of high school, God called Sr. Jolene to serve as a Dominican Sister. She entered the Congregation in 1952 and took her final vows in 1955. After finishing her own education, Sr. Jolene became a teacher, sharing God’s love as she taught elementary school students in Colorado and Kansas.

She left her educational ministry in 1973, following God’s call to retreat work at the Lliff Seminary in Colorado, then serving as a Core Member at the Pilgrim House of Praise. She served in pastoral ministry at two Kansas hospitals before serving her congregation as Director of Associates and Initiates and later as Justice Promoter.

Sr. Jolene’s longest single ministry was at the Heartland Center for Spirituality, a ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace in Great Bend, KS. She enjoyed the peaceful pace of life at the Heartland Center, even as she remained passionate about issues of social justice. Of her work as Justice Promoter and at the Heartland Center for Spirituality, she said “When it comes to peace, prayer isn’t enough. We all have to work really hard.” Sr. Jolene worked for peace as a religious Sister for 67 years.

Sr. Jolene was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by brothers Alan, Danny, and Larry Geier; sisters Barbara Jean Schartz, Katherine Rhodes, and Lola Wilson; several nieces and nephews; as well as the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

A Wake Service on Saturday, Sept. 17, and a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, Sept. 17 were both held in the Dominican Chapel of the Plains at the Sisters’ Convent. Sr. Jolene was interred at the Sisters’ Resurrection Cemetery.

To donate in Sr. Jolene Geier’s memory, please click here.

To download a printable copy of this memorial, click here.

Memorial gifts in Sr. Jolene’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr. Columbus, OH 43219 or oppeace.org.

Posted in Obituaries