Sister Maryse Kontowski
Born to earthly life: September 10, 1927
Religious profession: August 6, 1948
Entered eternal life: March 4, 2011
School Sister of Notre Dame, Maryse Kontowski died at Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis. on March 4, 2011 at the age of 83.
Alice Kontowski was baptized the day after her birth and dedicated to Mary. In her autobiography, she says that from the time of her first Communion she was drawn to the religious life and Mary led her steadily to SSND.
Her teachers at SS. Cyril and Methodius Grade School and St. Stanislaus High School strengthened her attraction to religious life. One of her teachers advised her to keep her beautiful blue eyes for Jesus alone, which she did. Her loving parents and her sister Evelyn made her entrance into the candidature in August of 1945 a happy occasion.
Alice chose the name Maryse in Mary's honor and the feast of the Visitation as her nameday. Her varied ministerial experiences included teaching math in grade and high schools for 42 years in Illinois and Wisconsin.
A supervisor described Maryse as a "vigorous, stimulating, and sympathetic teacher who stimulates initiative and considers the capacity of her students. . . . To slow learners she gives extra help; the talented she challenges to independent thinking." Beginning in 1984 she was privileged to care for her infirm mother for the five years before she died.
After teaching, Maryse engaged in ministry to the elderly and secretarial service in several parishes. The celebrant of her funeral Mass, one of her pastors, commented on her invaluable service by describing the parish secretary as virtually running the parish.
In 1999, Sister Maryse joined the NDEG retirement community where she spent four mornings a week in the sewing room. "She was an excellent seamstress and master of challenging tasks like putting in pockets and zippers," said her "boss," Sister Francita Orcholski. Her quiet presence added a tone of peacefulness to the room. "She was a good community member, gentle, honest, and supportive. Her smile and gentle spirit radiated whenever she visited anyone," commented Sister Marie Rose Van Duerzen, who delivered the eulogy.
No stranger to suffering, Maryse often spoke the words: "Jesus, I love you. I offer all this pain to you. I pray that this act of love may be my final prayer on earth." She learned well from her beloved mother how to die. The Lord was indeed their Shepherd.
She closed her autobiography by gratefully saying, "The Lord has blessed my life with many gifts and privileges, sorrows and joys, sickness and health – more than a thousandfold through the years." We add our deep thanks to God for the gift that Sister Maryse has been to us.
– Mary Catherine Dundon, SSND
Sister Maryse received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in mathematics and a minor in English from DePaul University, Chicago, Ill.; and a Master of Secondary Education from DePaul University, Ill. She ministered in education for over 40 years, primarily in high schools where she taught mathematics. When she left teaching in 1990, she shared her gifts in ministering to the elderly and working as a parish secretary. In 1999, she retired to the Notre Dame of Elm Grove Community where she served through her prayers and presence.
Sister Maryse's ministry locations included:
- St. Joseph, Appleton, Wis.
- St. Stanislaus, Chicago, Ill.
- Columbus High School, Marshfield, Wis.
- Notre Dame High School, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Lourdes High School, Oshkosh, Wis.
- Messmer High School, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. Mary Central High School, Menasha, Wis.
- SS. Cyril & Methodius, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. John Kanty, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Holy Assumption, West Allis, Wis.
- St. Helen Parish, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis.
Sister Maryse Kontowski, SSND died at Notre Dame of Elm Grove on March 4, 2011, age 83. Survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and the SSND Community. A wake service was celebrated March 10, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at The 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.
Click here to send a memorial online.