Sister Conrad Marie Witkowski
(Mary Conradia)
Born to earthly life: July 10, 1919
Religious profession: July 28, 1938
Entered eternal life: October 29, 2009
Sister Conrad Marie, affectionately known as “Connie,” was born July 10, 1919, to Conrad Witkowski and Anastasia Narloch-Witkowski. She was given the name Marion. Connie had an older brother, Raymond, who became a priest in the Milwaukee archdiocese. She had two younger sisters, Dorothy, who became a School Sister of Notre Dame, and Theresa, Mrs. Frank Korenic. A little brother, Harry, died in infancy.
Marion went through grade and high school quickly, and was ready to begin college at age 16. She laughingly said it took her 10 years to finish college at age 26. That was not the end of her studies, however, since she later received a Master of Arts degree in history from Marquette University, and did further studies at Chicago Theological Union and at the University of Salzburg in Austria.
In 1938 she was professed, and for the next 49 years she taught in grade school, high school, and college summer school. At St. Mary’s School in Elm Grove, she was instrumental in starting a central library, an intensified science program, a physical education program, and a pilot study of linguistics. While at St. Mary’s, Sister Conrad Marie was named archdiocesan “Teacher of the Year.”
Connie had always worked hard for “the missions” and longed to serve in Africa. In 1987 after a year of preparation for cross-cultural ministry, she was sent to Sierra Leone, West Africa. There, in her words, she “had the joy and privilege” of teaching English and religion in the secondary school, and directing retreats for the English and Irish missionaries during their summer vacation.
While in Africa Connie became sick, was hospitalized, and eventually had to return to the States. Her love for Africa never left her. The loss of her eyesight kept her from returning. Nevertheless she continued to touch many lives by her joy, wisdom, and wit.
In 1996 Connie retired at Elm Grove where she had been on the leadership team at Visitation for four years, 1991-1995. Although her eyesight had failed, her love and compassion, her deep spirituality, her sensitivity for those who suffered had not. In her last years, she continued to live Eucharist as she reached out to others with gratitude and love. She said of herself, “I always have a melody in my heart.” Her favorite song, as attested to by the many friends and associates whose lives she touched, was “Between my soul and God, there is no between.”
– Mary Luke Baldwin, SSND
Sr. Conrad Marie professed her vows as a School Sister of Notre Dame in 1938. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, Wis. where she majored in history and minored in English and social studies. She was granted a Master of Arts in history from Marquette University. She had further studies at the University of Salzburg, Austria and Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.
Besides ministering in education for over 50 years as a teacher and principal, she on the leadership team at Notre Dame of Elm Grove. After retiring in 1996, she served through community service and by her prayers and presence.
Her ministry locations included:
- St. Francis, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Holy Assumption, West Allis, Wis.
- St. Agnes, Butler, Wis.
- Notre Dame High School, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. Constance, Chicago, Ill.
- St. Mary, Elm Grove, Wis.
- Messmer High School, Milwaukee, Wis.
- SS.Cyril & Methodius, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Christ King, Wauwatosa, Wis.
- Holy Childhood, Harbor Springs, Mich.
- Our Lady of Lourdes, Port Loko, Sierra Leone, West Africa
- Yengema Secondary School, Yengema, Sierra Leone, West Africa
- Regina Coeli Community, Elm Grove, Wis.
- Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis.
Click here to send a memorial online.