Sister Mary Madeline Holacheck
Born to earthly life: April 4, 1920
Religious profession: July 27, 1940
Entered eternal Life: November 20, 2010
Sister Madeline crammed two careers between the years of 1940 and 1999. But first, let us go back to her early years.
She was born on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1920, and this year she celebrated her 90th birthday on Easter Sunday again. Sister was the first child of five, three girls and two boys, in the family of Matthew and Madeline Holachek. At baptism she received the name Catherine Theodora after her maternal grandparents.
In September 1925 little Catherine walked through the doors of SS. Peter and Paul School, Milwaukee, and met her first grade teacher who, fourteen years later, dressed her as an SSND novice. After eighth grade, when she asked her parents if she could enter the convent, they suggested that she complete high school first. In 1937, after graduating from Messmer High School, Catherine entered the candidature and later, as Sister Mary Madeline, she pronounced her first vows July 27, 1940.
Her first degree in English, History, and Social Science was earned at Mount Mary College; her second was an M.A. in History from Marquette University. She enjoyed teaching grade and high school students, but her concern was for the broader needs of society.
From 1969-1971, Sister Madeline worked in Milwaukee’s Head Start program. In l977 she went to Independence, Iowa, for a four-month ministry program that included reaching out to the mentally ill, alcoholics, and incarcerated elementary and high school age young people. During the week she lived with an ecumenical group within the North Central Mental Hospital, and on weekends and holidays joined our sisters in Gilbertsville, Iowa. When the ministry course was completed, she stayed in Gilbertville and began working with Catholic Social Services of the Dubuque, Iowa, Diocese.
As an advocate for the elderly poor, Sister Madeline worked primarily in Waterloo, Iowa, a city of 73,000. Giving direct material help was a part of her job, but assisting the elderly in dealing with government agencies, directing them when and where to go, how to interpret and follow through the daunting details of directions, helping to fill out confusing forms, and following endless regulations was her real job.
In October 1980 a phone call came from the motherhouse in Mequon telling her about three families of Cuban refugees, ten men, women, and children, who had been referred by Milwaukee’s Catholic Social Services. They needed assistance to start living on their own, and Sister Madeline was asked to take on this project with the help of Sister Marie LeClerc Laux.
Language was a barrier, but basic needs were hurriedly secured. Working through the myriad government details, finding jobs, arranging schooling, and so on, followed. Sister Madeline’s experience proved invaluable.
Sister Madeline’s charismatic smile and customary greeting of “Hi, Darlin’” served her well, whether she was greeting clients in her job as an advocate for the elderly poor at Catholic Charities or the sisters she would meet in her last years as a resident at NDEG. Many of the aides spoke of Sister Madeline’s smile and words as a treasure they’ll never forget. She won the hearts of all who cared for her. In the last few weeks, Sister Madeline became very peaceful. She no longer spoke of wanting to “go home.”
On November 20, God called her home and she received the gift that she had longed for.
– Marie Grellinger, SSND
Sister Madeline 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 Arts in history from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis. She worked in educator for over 30 years, serving in elementary and secondary schools. When she left classroom teaching, she became involved in social service ministries that served a variety of populations. She retired to the Notre Dame of Elm Grove Community in 1999.
Sister Madeline’s ministry locations included:
- St. Margaret, Chicago, Ill.
- St. Joseph, Logansport, Ind.
- Sacred Heart, Appleton, Wis.
- St. James, Madison, Wis.
- St. Patrick, Menasha, Wis.
- St. George, Kenosha, Wis.
- Academy of Our Lady, Chicago, Ill.
- Columbus High School, Marshfield, Wis.
- Messmer High School, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. Joseph School, Appleton, Wis.
- Immaculate Conception, Gilbertville, Iowa
- St. Anne, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis.
School Sister of Notre Dame, Mary Madeline Holacheck died at Notre Dame of Elm Grove on November 20, 2010, age 90. She is survived by her sister Mary Ann (Donald) O'Neil, nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and the SSND Community. A Wake Service and Mass of Christian Burial were celebrated on November 24 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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