Sister Bernadette Young

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved

Sister Bernadette Young

who departed this life on January 20, 2013

in the sixty-seven year of her religious life

Age: 86 years, 5 months, 22 days

Resurrection Service: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 3:30 p.m.

Funeral arrangements: Viewing in the Community Room at Providence Heights on Tuesday, January 22 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and on Wednesday, January 23 from noon-3 p.m. Wake Service in the Community Room on Tuesday, January 22 at 7 p.m. Mass of Resurrection on Wednesday, January 23 at 3:30 p.m. in the Mother of Divine Providence Chapel at Provindence Heights.

"Who shall find a woman of Providence...she is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel." (Adapted from the Book of Proverbs)

Woman of Providence, Sister Bernadette Young, was born in New Philadelphia, Ohio, on July 28, 1926. She was the daughter of John and Mary Kappler Young, and sister of Sister Muriel Young and the late Mary Fister and Joanne Zucal. She was baptized in the church of their parish, Sacred Heart, and later attended the parish school.

Sister Bernadette's whole life was influenced by Divine Providence. She was taught by the Sisters of Divine Providence in grade school and at St. Joseph High School in Dover. In 1946, she followed her sister, Sister Muriel, into the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence. She became a teacher and taught young people in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Archdiocese of Boston. She established and directed the guidance department at Bishop Guilfoyle High School in Altoona. Every ministry she performed was enhanced by her education: bachelor of science in education from Duquesne University; master of science in guidance and counseling from the University of Dayton; and, Ph.D. in foundations of education from the University of Pittsburgh. In between, Sister Bernadette interned in the field of college administration at Marillac College in St. Louis.

In the early 1960s, Sister Mary John, as she was known then, was summoned to the office of the provincial director, who told her that she was to be the registrar of the college. Sister Mary John could only respond, "What college?" This was the beginning of her La Roche years, where she made Providence very visible when she served as registrar, admissions director, director of financial aid, and residence counselor, all at the same time. She regarded it as a privilege to serve the people of God, especially the members of the La Roche community, bringing many people "out of the cold and into a life of success" (her very own words).

After La Roche, Sister Bernadette began her Ph.D. work at the University of Pittsburgh. In the later seventies, until 2006, she worked in campus ministry at the Oratory in Oakland, for students at the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Chatham College. She did it all for the love of God and the love of God's people—truly a woman of Providence her entire life. Her work ranged from RCIA programs, in which she guided many people into the Catholic Church, to preparing "study bags" (snacks) and "midnight breakfast" for the students during exam time. Bernadette believed that she made Providence visible by being available and listening.

And, indeed, she did just that. At the La Roche commencement in May 2012, Sister Bernadette Young was given the La Roche College Woman of Providence award because her life of service was a compelling example of God’s Providence made visible.

Birthday: July 28

Written by Sister Mary Traupman

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette printed a short obituary. and a longer memorial article on January 22.

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Bernadette, visit our donation page

Sister Grace Jones

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved

Sister Grace Jones

who departed this life on January 30, 2013

in the sixty-seventh year of her religious life

Age: 87 years, 10 months, 10 days

Resurrection Service: Saturday, February 2, 2013, at 11 a.m.

Funeral arrangements are as follows: Viewing in the Community Room at Providence Heights on Friday, February 1 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and on Saturday, February 2 from 9-11 a.m. Wake Service in the Community Room on Friday, February 1 at 7 p.m. Mass of Resurrection on Saturday, February 2 at 11 a.m. in the Mother of Divine Providence Chapel at Providence Heights.

"Faith is our light in our night, which light is God, our endless day." Julian of Norwich

Sister Grace Jones passed away quietly in her sleep early on Wednesday. Her passing surprised the Sisters with whom she lived. But Sister Grace died as she lived—gently and quietly. There was no apparent struggle. Her passing followed a very ordinary day in which she was fully engaged in the life of the Community at Providence Heights.

Sister Grace was the only child of Catherine Culp and Frank Jones. At birth she was named Catherine Grace. At Investment she received the name Sister Joseph Clair. When given the opportunity to return to her birth name in 1968, she chose to be Sister Grace. In hindsight, this name was most appropriate for her, since she was a source of grace and blessing to others in the ministries in which she was engaged. Grace was raised Lutheran and baptized and confirmed in that faith. Grace’s father left the family when she was still an infant, so her mother had to work to support herself and her child. Grace lived with her aunt, whom her mother paid for room and board and “rearing.” It was in her aunt’s home that she was introduced to Catholicism. She also had the good fortune to attend Our Lady of Mercy Academy for grades 6 to 12, even though she was not Catholic. These influences had significant impact on her, and she converted to Catholicism in 1942, while still a junior in high school. Her conversion to Catholicism was difficult for her mother. After completing high school, Sister Grace wanted to enter religious life, but knew the timing was not right. She worked for three years, got involved in the Catholic Action Movement, and sought a spiritual director. She entered the Community in 1946.

Sister Grace’s early years in ministry was as an elementary school teacher. She taught for eighteen years in Catholic schools in the dioceses of Pittsburgh and Detroit, and in dioceses in Massachusetts and Connecticut. She then moved on to serving as guidance counselor at the secondary school level for four years. Her success in this relatively new ministry did not go unnoticed. She was invited to be a part of the fledging La Roche College administration and served as its Dean of Students for a year and then as Director of Admissions. Always the entrepreneur and always responding to grace, Sister Grace answered the Community’s call to be the first coordinator of retired Sisters of Divine Providence. In the early years of this new ministry, she became involved in the Diocesan Sister’s Council and was elected president of the Diocesan Retirement Committee for Religious Women, a position she held for four years. Sister Grace would serve in the Community as coordinator of the retirement program for 24 years, but these years would be interrupted by a 10-year stint as chaplain in the pastoral care department at Divine Providence Hospital. For all of these positions, Grace was well qualified. She prepared academically and took advantage of ongoing education opportunities. Sister Grace was the 2000 recipient of the Marie de la Roche Award for her tireless years in internal ministry.

Sister Grace was on a spiritual journey for most of her 88 years. She wrote about her faith journey in a piece she called A Journey in Faith and Love. From her earliest years, she sought spiritual direction and took advantage of opportunities provided to deepen her own spiritual life so that she could enrich the lives of those she served. Sister Grace had a special devotion to Julian of Norwich and considered her a special patron.

Like her special patron, she knew personally that "All will be well...and all will be well...and all manner of things will be well." We rejoice with Sister Grace that her deepest desire of full union with God has been fulfilled. We also rejoice that she remains with us in the Communion of Saints.

Feast day: March 19

Written by Sister Maria Fest

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review published an obituary on February 2. 

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Grace, visit our donation page.

Sister Mary Thomas Jirauch

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved

Sister Mary Thomas Jirauch

who departed this life on February 11, 2013

in the sixty-seventh year of her religious life

Age: 84 years, 4 months, 15 days

Resurrection Service: Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at

St. Elizabeth Parish, Granite City, Ill.

"The spirit of the Institute is, above all, the spirit of Jesus Christ himself." [Constitutions Article 2]

Patricia Josephine came to the Sisters of Divine Providence from St. John the Baptist in St. Louis, Mo. Drawn by a deep desire to listen to God and to learn to love with a compassionate heart, she wanted to grow in her relationship with God and to serve God's people in love. She said she was attracted to the community by "observing relationships among the Sisters."

Named Sister Mary Thomas, she deepened her relationship with God as she sought to learn new ways to pray, to live in community, and to serve those in need, with generosity, good humor, and "in the spirit of Jesus." Sister Mary Thomas taught first in Venice, Ill., and next in Tipton, Mo. After completing a bachelor of science in nursing and a master's in health administration, she spent 42 years serving St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Granite City, Ill., an institution in which our Sisters ministered even before becoming a separate province in 1932. Sister Mary Thomas served for 24 years as hospital administrator, continuing to educate herself, strengthening the hospital in medical excellence, and opening the first free clinic to assure that the health needs of the poor were met. As a well-loved leader and a strong compassionate presence, after leaving her administrative position, Sister Mary Thomas continued to offer guidance as chair of the hospital's board of directors for another 18 years.

Sister Mary Thomas lived a life of prayer and reflection in the midst of her responsibilities. She sought to balance her busyness with a call to deeper quiet. Her many interests were influenced by her life of prayer, dedication to Mary, and openness to God's call of love and service. She appreciated the beauties of art, read widely, delighted in the humor of situations, and relished the power and depth of classical music. Drawing upon her inner life, she captured the beauty of our world in photographs, which she offered freely to others for their pleasure and prayer.

As Sister Mary Thomas aged and became infirm, she found some of the solitude she had sought and, from that contemplative space, she opened herself to those who came to share stories, seek clarity, rest in her attentive presence, and be touched by God's care. Two years ago, Sister Mary Thomas wrote, "Weariness, weakness, and being dependent on others leads me to an attitude of surrender. Surrender leads . . . to emptiness . . . a space for God to fill with His Spirit. As a reminder of this call, I have a few clay dishes, holding nothing, here and there in my room." On this day, dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, she has been given full healing and has gone home to the God of Providence. She is alive in Jesus, who taught her to live and love! As we celebrate her life and remember her gifts, may we be blessed to grow as she did into the contemplative and compassionate ". . . spirit of Jesus Christ himself."

Birthday: September 26

Written by Sister Mary Francis Fletcher

The Granite City Press Record featured a beautiful memorial article about Sister Mary Thomas on February 20.

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Mary Thomas, visit our donation page.

Sister Dorothy Marie Wanner

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved

Sister Dorothy Marie Wanner

who departed this life on March 2, 2013

in the fifty-fifth year of her religious life

Age: 85 years, 0 months, 25 days

Resurrection Service: Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 11 a.m.

Funeral arrangements are as follows: Viewing in the Community Room at Providence Heights on Tuesday, March 5 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and on Wednesday, March 6 from 9-10:30 a.m. Wake Service in the Community Room on Tuesday, March 5 at 7 p.m. Mass of Resurrection on Wednesday, March 6 at 11 a.m. in the Mother of Divine Providence Chapel at Providence Heights.

"Come, you have my Father's blessing....

As often as you did it for one of these little ones, you did it for me."

[Mt. 25:34, 40]

Helen Wanner and her twin sister, Mildred, were born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. They were the youngest of 10 children born to Virginia [Moylan] and Louis Wanner. The family was very close-knit, even as adults. They were always interested in one another and offered one another support in loving relationships when they could. In her early twenties, Helen entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame. After completing her novitiate, she professed first vows and served in ministry for three years before leaving the community for personal reasons. Finding herself still searching and feeling a call to be a Sister, Helen entered the Sisters of Divine Providence at the age of 30.

In the grace of God's Providence, Sister Dorothy Marie found life, peace, and happiness in her service and commitment within the Sisters of Divine Providence. In requesting to take first vows, she wrote, "...these past two years have been very happy and fruitful ones for me....I pray that God will continue to grant me the grace to do his work, whatever it may be." In each new place of ministry, the "whatever" may have changed, but her spirit of availability and helpfulness was always evident.

Serving in internal ministry, Sister Dorothy Marie lived with many groups of Sisters, strengthening each local community by her conscientious efforts, her good humor, and her gentle presence. She served in many areas of Pennsylvania, from Beaver, East Liberty, Oakland, and Braddock, to Glenshaw, Overbrook, and Allison Park, at Providence Heights Alpha School. Sister Dorothy Marie served the longest in Ford City, patiently helping the children in the school library and joyfully bringing the Eucharist to the sick and elderly of the parish. Attentive to the needs of others, Sister Dorothy Marie reached out in new ways. When a community of "foreign" Sisters arrived in a nearby town, Sister Dorothy Marie's compassion led her to welcome the stranger, helping the Sisters to feel at home, teaching them about the area, and driving them to new places. Every service to meet others' needs was given with sensitivity and selfless generosity.

"Retiring" to Providence Heights, Sister Dorothy Marie continued to do "whatever" was needed, driving Sisters to doctors' appointments or the airport, and serving sick Sisters snacks and drinks while entertaining them to brighten their days. Open to and trusting God's Providence, Sister Dorothy Marie witnessed God's care for the little ones throughout her life. Now she hears God say, "Come, you have my Father's blessing. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world."

Feast day: February 6

Written by Sister Mary Francis Fletcher

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Dorothy Marie, visit our donation page.

Sister Irma Mae Boonie

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved 

Sister Irma Mae Boonie

who departed this life on April 11, 2013

in the seventy-seventh year of her religious life

Age: 95 years, 11 months, 6 days

Resurrection Service: 

Monday, April 15, 2013 at 4 p.m.

“For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. God does not ration his gift of the Spirit.” (from the Gospel for April 11, 2013.)

Sister Irma Mae Boonie, who had been experiencing failing health for the past several years, died quietly and peacefully in Saint Joseph Center at Providence Heights early Thursday morning, April 11. She died during the rich season in which the Church celebrates the Paschal Mystery. She left behind the life she so loved, and through her death, entered into an eternal season of new life.

Sister Irma Mae, formerly known in Community as Sister Teresine, was born on May 5, 1917, in Jamisonville (now Cherrytown), Pa., to Mary Nehiz and Louis Boonie. She was the fifth of six children born to her parents, who were both immigrants from Hungary. Sister Irma Mae entered the Community on September 7, 1936.

Sister Irma Mae was educated to be a teacher. She eventually earned a Bachelor in Education degree from Duquesne University in 1952 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Detroit in 1970. Her career in education began in 1939 and continued through 1986. She was an educator in dioceses in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. In these 47 years, she was an upper elementary and secondary school teacher for 38 years and principal for nine years. She was a devoted educator, kept current, participated in NCEA, and was well liked by students, parents, teachers, and staff. As much as she enjoyed the field of education, she knew when it was time to transition into another ministry. In 1986, she embraced pastoral ministry in a volunteer capacity. She started at Assumption Parish in Bellevue, and in 1988, she moved to pastoral ministry in the hospital setting, first at Divine Providence and then at Mercy Providence. While at Divine Providence Hospital, she nuanced her hospital ministry to the emergency room at the invitation of the staff of the emergency room. She made follow-up calls to emergency room patients upon their return home. In 1990, she was honored during National Volunteer Week for making 10,000 calls. As a hospital volunteer, she joined the hospital auxiliary because, in her words, “They measure their worth by how much they do in the hospital, rather than by what they earn.” She was a true Woman of Providence, responding to the unmet needs she perceived in her time of external ministry. She finally retired in 1999, and then was fully engaged in a ministry of prayer and communication through letter writing and phone calls.

Many Sisters remember Sister Irma Mae as a spiritual seeker. She encouraged her own spiritual growth through her early involvement in the House of Prayer movement and the Community’s spiritual renewal programs, Emmaus and Realm. She sought spiritual direction when it became available to Community members and was an early participant in directed retreats. These latter practices continued as long as she could participate in them. No matter her ministry, Sister Irma Mae made time for a relationship with her God of Providence. She enjoyed wearing pearls and wore them as a symbol of her relationship with God. She imagined herself as God’s pearl for God’s people. And perhaps she knew God refined His beautiful pearl through her experience of aging, sickness, and diminishment.

And so now, our Sister Irma Mae enjoys the fullness of the relationship with her Provident God that she nurtured so well in all the years of her physical life. In her new life, God will not ration the Spirit as Sister Irma Mae intercedes for the Community and nudges us to continue to meet the current needs of our time.

Feast day: May 5

written by Sister Maria Fest

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Irma Mae, visit our donation page.

Sister Carmen Torres Arroyo

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved

Sister Carmen Torres Arroyo

who departed this life on May 16, 2013

in the forty-fifth year of her religious life

Age: 70 years, 4 months, 23 days

Resurrection Service: Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at 4 p.m.

Sister Carmen Torres Arroyo passed into eternity on May 16, during the time between the Ascension and Pentecost. Historically, this is the time during which the Apostles took leave of the physical presence of Jesus on Earth and awaited the coming of the Spirit. That time was liminal space for them—a time of transformation. Preceding her death, Sr. Carmen was in liminal space—on the threshold. She was in a medically induced coma, as she was being treated for the many medical issues from which she suffered. She was literally in the “cloud of unknowing.” This space would lead her to full transformation as she awaited her call home. Sr. Carmen’s ordeal began with gallbladder surgery on April 26. Apparently, even though she came through that surgery well, she began to experience complications due to the many surgeries she endured as the result of a serious car accident six years ago.

Nilda, later to be known in religious life as Sr. Carmen Marie, was the 10th of the 13 children born to Roque Torres and Ruperta Arroyo. She was born and raised in Lares, Puerto Rico. In 1968, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis, located in South Bend, Indiana, which had missions in Puerto Rico. She was introduced to the Sisters of Divine Providence while ministering in Puerto Rico. She was attracted to the Providence charism and opted to live and work with our Sisters at San Miguel in Utuado for a year. She began a process in 1977 that would lead her to transfer to us on August 1, 1978. Sr. Carmen was under temporary vows when she transferred, and professed final vows as a Sister of Divine Providence on March 25, 1984.

Sr. Carmen lived in local houses at Providence Heights as she was being incorporated into our Community. She assisted Sisters Grace Jones and Zita Kessler in their program for the retired Sisters. She also ministered at La Roche College for a year in the campus ministry program; however, Sr. Carmen’s real passion was to be a helping presence to people in need. In Puerto Rico she had obtained a B.A. degree from the Catholic University of Puerto Rico at Ponce. To prepare for her desired ministry in Community, that of social work, she matriculated at the University of Pittsburgh in the social work program and focused on mental health. During her studies, her field placement was at the Women’s Center and Shelter on Pittsburgh’s North Side. After completing her degree in 1984, Sr. Carmen went to Lorain, Ohio, to minister to a Hispanic community, who were mostly Puerto Rican. She ministered there until the present. She worked as a therapist, counselor, caseworker, and social worker. At times she worked with adults and at other times she ministered to children and families. She served at the W.F. Nord Mental Health Center for 15 years, at Sprenger Enterprises for a year, then at the Lincoln Counseling Center for Children for four years, and, finally, at Bellaire JCB, her last place of ministry. She was an asset to the Hispanic community, not only because she spoke their language, which allowed her clients to tell their stories in their native tongue, but because of her warm, compassionate, genuine manner. She worshipped at the Hispanic parish, Sacred Heart Chapel, and was a strong and energetic presence in the parish community. She played the maracas in one of the church choir groups and was sorely missed when she was not present. The church community was fluid with her convent community. The parishioners felt welcomed where she lived. Her talent with planting and arranging flowers was always evident. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed sharing food with members of the parish community at her table or by taking food to people in need. Her devotion to the people of the parish and their devotion to her were evident in the years following her accident, but were profoundly obvious in the days surrounding her final illness and passing—while she was in liminal space. She was described by the people with whom she ministered as a true and faithful servant of the Lord.

Finding one’s soul always involves leaving one’s comfort zone, letting go, and being able to live on the edge—in liminal space. Certainly, Sr. Carmen did that during her lifetime. And, most certainly, she did that in the days preceding her death. Now Sr. Carmen is no longer on the threshold. She is in the loving embrace of her Provident God.

Birthday: December 23

Written by Sister Maria Fest

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Carmen, visit our donation page.

Sister Elizabeth Apel

We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Elizabeth Apel
who departed this life on July 25, 2013
in the sixty-third year of her religious life
Age: 85 years, 2 months, 8 days
Resurrection Service: Monday, July 29, 2013 at 4 p.m.

Life has been changed, not taken away for Sister Elizabeth Apel, baptized Alma Lois. She surely is having a very happy reunion with her parents Joseph and Elizabeth, and her brothers and sisters Ruth Clara, Agnes Elizabeth, Rita Cecelia, Rose Mary, Anna Louise, Joseph, John Bernard, and Anna Jean. She is survived by her brother, Edwin Victor.

Liz, as she preferred to be called, was a wonderful gift to her family and to the People of God. She entered the religious community of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity in 1951. When the community wanted to appoint her novice directress, they had to seek a dispensation because she was too young. Her friend, Sister Sheila Rooney, OLC, who had been one of her novices, remembers Liz as a loyal friend and a person of gentle honesty, who had a great love for her family. Besides serving that community as novice directress for seven years, Liz was also the community executive secretary for a period of time. In 1974 Liz transferred to the Sisters of Divine Providence.

Sister Joan Marie Harper remembers the ceremony for Transfer of Vows into the Sisters of Divine Providence. In one part of the ceremony, Liz asked God to make her a hollow reed so she could be a flute making God heard in this world. Sister Joan also saw Liz as a very hard worker who earned degrees in social work and used her education and training in many situations, never sparing herself in the doing. Liz was not only a hard worker, but also a very creative person. In her spare time she did many crafts and was an excellent seamstress.

Sister Marian Senish presented a program to the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity and met Liz at that time. Liz had prepared her co-sisters to engage in a 6 week program on prayer, and it was the overwhelming concern, dedication and service she showed at that time that made her who she really was. She transferred the same personal gifts to her new-found Community of Divine Providence. During her retirement years, she never refused the opportunity to aid the sick and dying as a hospice chaplain or to drive sisters to the doctor.

Liz had been the director of social services and child care for Gilmary School, a counselor with Pittsburgh adult services and the Area Agency on Aging, information and referral person at All Saints Parish in Etna... among various other things. She moved to the Diocese of Youngstown in 1979, where she filled many roles in her service to the People of God. She was the director of parish outreach in Catholic Charities, and the diocesan director of parish councils and RENEW, a spiritual renewal program. In 1991 she was named director of planning for the diocese. In 1997, she returned to Pittsburgh and began her hospice and bereavement work.

When Liz was told of her cancer diagnosis, she prepared during her last days with full acceptance of what would follow, what was hidden, and known only in the mind of God!

May the personal and ministerial gifts of Sister Elizabeth Apel be transferred to us in her rising to new life.

written by Sister Mary Traupman

Both major Pittsburgh newspapers published obituaries of Sister Liz:
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Sister used training, compassion to comfort dying
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Her compassionate nature helped many people at hospice

If you would like to make a gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence in memory of Sister Liz, visit our donation page.