Sister Mary Alma Witowski
Born to earthly life: May 13, 1919
Religious profession: July 28, 1938
Entered eternal life: March 25, 2011
School Sister of Notre Dame, Mary Alma Witkowski died at Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis. on March 25, 2011 at the age of 91.
Emily Witkowski was born May 13, 1919, and baptized at St. Casimir Church, Milwaukee. She was the second oldest of nine children. From her autobiography, we learn that she often played "school" as a young child. "I helped my younger brothers and sisters to love school and enjoy whatever there was to do. If I had no real children to teach, I used my dolls. I taught them all I had learned at school."
From the day of her first Communion, Emily wanted to be an SSND. She entered the convent in 1933 and was professed in 1938. Now as Sister Mary Alma, she taught primary grades in large southeastern Wisconsin schools, except for five years in Tilden, Wisconsin. "I thought I was being sent to the end of the world," she wrote. "Coming from a community of 24 to a family of four, I was always looking for someone to play cards and to do other things. In a short time, I loved our homey, cheerful, and whole-hearted community."
Sister Alma loved and enjoyed her ministry. She received an Outstanding Teacher Award in 1978. She served as Director of Religious Education for ten years after leaving the classroom and then, for another ten years, as Pastoral Minister—her favorite ministry. "The sick and the elderly were my people, my special friends. They gave me more than I can say. Their courage and endurance helped me to know and love God, who takes care of us all."
With gratitude Sister looked back on the Rome Renewal pro¬gram in 1983 as a highlight in her life. During this time she visited special places of SSND history and shared with sisters from other provinces. The side trip to Lourdes was a special, enriching, spiritual experience.
Sister Alma was very generous. After Palm Sunday each year, she wove beautiful, small crowns from the palms and gave them to others. Over the years she may have made thousands of these. Because she was a gifted salesperson and had a great sense of humor, attendees of our Holiday Fairs and rummage sales were captivated by her lively spirit and were often moved to make purchases.
Even in "retirement" Sister continued to work as a volunteer at Clare Meadows in Franklin, Wisconsin, where she lived, and with our sisters at various Milwaukee nursing homes. During her last few months, she resided with School Sisters of St. Francis in their Campbellsport, Wisconsin, nursing home, where she formed a special bond with the community.
Sister Alma came back to NDEG before she was called home to her eternal reward on her nameday, March 25, 2011.
– Anton Marie Voissem, SSND
Sister Mary Alma received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in social science and minors in English and history from Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, Wis.; a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from St. Joseph College, Rensselaer, Ind.; and a Master of Arts in religious education from Webster College, St. Louis Mo. She ministered as a teacher in the primary grades for 30 years; as a director of religious education for 10 years and as a pastoral minister for 10 years. She said, "Each career was special but pastoral ministry was my favorite. The sick and the elderly were my people, my special friends. They gave me more than I can say. Their courage and endurance helped me know and love God who takes care of us all." In 2000, Sister Mary Alma retired to the Notre Dame of Elm Grove Community where she continued to serve through her prayers and presence.
Sister Mary Alma's ministry locations included:
- St. Boniface, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. Francis, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. Peter, Tilden, Wis.
- St. Mary’s Visitation, Elm Grove, Wis.
- St. Elizabeth, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Sacred Hearts, Sun Prairie, Wis.
- SS. Cyril and Methodius, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. Augustine, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Sacred Heart, Allenton, Wis.
- Sacred Heart & St. Anthony, Allenton, Wis. and SS. Peter & Paul, Nenno, Wis.
- Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis.
Sister Mary Alma Witkowski, SSND died at Notre Dame of Elm Grove on March 25, 2011, age 91. She is survived by her sisters Mary (Richard) Misialek and Sister Johnalyn Witkowski, three sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and the SSND Community. A Wake Service was celebrated March 30, 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.
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