Sister Mary Lucille Czarnecki
(Mary Joanette)
Born to earthly life: November 12, 1915
Religious profession: July 28, 1938
Entered eternal Life: February 7, 2011
School Sister of Notre Dame, Mary Lucille Czarnecki died at Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis. on February 7, 2011 at the age of 95.
Little Lucille Czarnecki, born on November 12, 1915, was welcomed not only by her parents, Francis and Mary Czarnecki, but by a chorus of four brothers and four sisters. She comments about being the youngest, "Seeing and hearing about their latest escapades made life very exciting."
She attended St. Vincent de Paul School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, taught by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. She credits their influence and that of the popular devotions at that time – daily Mass, Vespers, Stations, and Marian devotions – as nurturing her spiritual life. Because of the Great Depression, her goal to join the SSNDs after graduating from South Division High School was delayed. She worked for two years as an attorney's secretary to earn money for her entrance expenses.
Sister tells of the shock she experienced in May of her novitiate year. She was notified that her mother had died, and eleven months later, her father also died. Because of the Congregation's rules at that time, she was not allowed to attend either of her parents' funerals. "I think I was in a trance," she wrote. "I thought my world was coming to an end." She added, "Happily for me, our good Jesus taught me an early lesson of abandonment to God's will, and I was able to carry on."
And carry on she did. As Sister Mary Joanette, for 24 years she taught the middle grades, directed children's choirs, and played the organ at schools in Milwaukee, Darlington, Prairie du Chien, and De Pere – all in Wisconsin. For the next 16 years, now as Sister Lucille, she taught business subjects at Notre Dame High and Messmer High in Milwaukee and Columbus High in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
Sister retired from teaching at age 63, but continued to share her talents. She worked as secretary for the principal of St. Anne School in Milwaukee, for the administrator at Notre Dame Health Care Center, and for the Provincial Councilors at Marshall Street.
In 1990, Sister Lucille retired to Notre Dame of Elm Grove where she gloried in the opportunities to learn new skills, especially oil painting. It seemed to call forth her inner sense of beauty which resulted in some exquisite art pieces.
She was interested in many subjects, and even studied German on the computer. Organizing and printing out schedules, lists, prayers, name tags, and signs was her specialty. Summing up her feelings, she wrote, "A happier home could never be found, and all that remains for me now is to wait for Jesus to call me. I'm a'listening." On February 7, 2011, Sister Lucille heard Him call.
– Sister Marie LeClerc Laux, SSND
Sister Mary Lucille received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English and minors in history and social science from Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, Wis. and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame, Ind. She ministered in education for over 40 years, teaching the middle grades, directing children's choirs and playing the organ. Later, she taught business classes in high schools. When she left teaching in 1978, she shared her administrative talents, serving as secretary for a school, for the administration of the Notre Dame Health Care Center and for the councilors at the Motherhouse. In 1990, she retired to the Notre Dame of Elm Grove Community where she served through her prayers and presence.
Sister Mary Lucille's ministry locations included:
- St. Anthony, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Holy Rosary, Darlington, Wis.
- St. John, Prairie du Chien, Wis.
- St. Francis Xavier, De Pere, Wis.
- Notre Dame High School, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Messmer High School, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Columbus High School, Marshfield, Wis.
- St. Anne, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Visitation, Elm Grove, Wis.
- Motherhouse, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis.
Sister Mary Lucille Czarnecki, SSND (Formerly Sister Mary Joanette) died at Notre Dame of Elm Grove, February 7, 2011, age 95. She is survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and the SSND Community. A Wake Service was February 11, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Chapel at 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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