Sister Marie Bilkovich
(Mary Assunta)
Born to earthly life: March 27, 1918
Religious profession: July 27, 1940
Entered eternal life: May 10, 2010
Marie Margaret was the first of three children born to Frank and Helen Bilkovich, who lived on a little farm near Marinette, Wisconsin. In her autobiography, Marie playfully comments, “In spite of the fact that a loving mother and a proud daddy were certain that there was no other child on earth quite like me, I believe that I was no different from the average child who grew up in the ordinary way, doing the ordinary things that the average child does.”
Her life story proves her to be anything but ordinary. She attended all eight grades in a rural, one-room school house. Because of her mother’s illness, she stayed home a year before entering ninth grade. During the summer, her new-found friend (the future Sister Mary Cecilius Sliger), described Lourdes High School in Marinette, Wisconsin, and the sisters who taught there.
Marie convinced her parents to enroll her in Lourdes High School. She wrote, “The sisters’ work, their beautiful habit, and the ‘ticket to heaven’ which I took for granted every nun automatically received upon entrance, gave me cause for serious consideration.”
However, Marie did not join the Notre Dames until she had worked in Chicago for two years and realized that her dissatisfaction with her job seemed to be God’s persistent call to religious life. She entered the candidature in 1938 at 20 years of age. After her profession, now known as Sister Assunta, she taught for 14 years in three elementary schools and then, for 29 years, she taught art in four Catholic high schools.
Her ministry in the Art Department at Notre Dame of the Lake, Mequon, Wisconsin, was interrupted for three years, while she cared for her mother in Texas. In 1982, she retired at St. Mary’s convent in Elm Grove, doing community service, and in 2001 she retired to NDEG.
Sister Marie’s art work, displayed throughout NDEG, bears testimony to her versatility. Done in exquisite calligraphy are the liturgical anthems to Our Lady in both Latin and English. In the corridor stands a large lead antimony statue of the Madonna of the Holy Spirit. The Gift Shop holds her paper creations and beautifully lettered greetings cards. Sister loved to whittle and treasured the shorebirds she carved for her friends.
Because she was a very private person, some sisters did not know of her many accomplishments, nor of her delightful sense of humor, revealed in her writings and witty remarks. However, everyone did experience her quiet, but always pleasant presence.
Sister died two weeks after celebrating her jubilee of 70 years, ready to continue her celebrating forever.
– Marie Le Clerc Laux, SSND
Sister Marie ministered as a teacher and art educator for 60 years. In retirement, she served through her prayers and presence.
Her ministry locations included:
- St. Anthony School, Detroit, Mich.
- Christ King School, Wauwatosa, Wis.
- Sacred Hearts School, Sun Prairie, Wis.
- Columbus High School, Marshfield, Wis.
- Lourdes High School, Oshkosh, Wis.
- Saint Mary School, Menasha, Wis.
- Notre Dame of the Lake, Mequon, Wis.
- St. Mary School, Elm Grove, Wis.
- Notre Dame of Elm Grove.
School Sister of Notre Dame, Marie Bilkovich, (Formerly Sr. Mary Assunta) died on May 10, 2010 in Elm Grove at the age of 92. Sister Marie is survived by her niece, nephew, other relatives, friends and the SSND Community. A Wake Service and Mass of Christian Burial were celebrated May 13 at Holy Family Chapel, Notre Dame of Elm Grove, 13105 Watertown Plank Road. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the School Sisters of Notre Dame Retirement Fund is appreciated.
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