In Memory of Kathy Geroski, Oblate

“It is most significant that Kathy’s last time here on earth is in this chapel which she loved so much and where she felt so at home,” said Sister Suzanne Zuercher, O.S.B., as she offered her reflection at Kathy’s funeral Mass. “At a recent monthly Oblate meeting, Kathy mentioned the joy she experienced working in the monastery library cataloguing books at a rhythm suited to her waning energy. She knew, she experienced, that her efforts became part of the efforts of the entire monastic community.” May Kathy find peace in her new home, as the readings at her Mass proclaimed: “a heavenly mansion is prepared for her, without any veils and webs to hem her in.

In Memory of Rosemary Brophy, Oblate

For many years of their married life, Rosemary and Jim lived in St. Margaret Mary’s Parish with their son, James, and daughter, Pat. They were always good neighbors and enjoyed entertaining. Their grandchildren were a source of pride and pleasure. Rosemary had a smile that was genuine and her cheerful disposition could be contagious. Her quick wit made her fun to be with, but it never got in the way of her warm concern and gentle sensitivity to other’s misfortune or need. She was a loyal fan of all things Irish and the Chicago Cubs.

Rosemary’s connection with St. Scholastica began when her daughter attended St. Scholastica Academy in the early 1960’s. Later when there was a job opening to serve as receptionist for the Academy and Monastery, Rosemary applied and was hired. There followed over 18 years of dedicated service. Her clear voice on the public address system, her pleasant way of answering the phone, and her cordial greeting to all who came through the main entrance made her a wonderful example of Benedictine hospitality.

It seemed a natural thing for Rosemary to formalize her connection with the Benedictine Sisters by becoming an Oblate in 1991. Until illness made it impossible, she attended the group’s meetings regularly.

Rosemary is survived by her husband, children and grandchildren.

In Memory of Jennifer Burns, Oblate

Katherine Genevieve Moos Mella, a long-time Wilmette resident who died on March 18th, 2006 was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, in 1912. She studied music at Northwestern University where she received her degree in 1935.

After two years teaching voice and music at the Mississippi State College for Women, she moved to New York City for further voice study and became involved with the Catholic Worker movement, which ministered to workers who lost their jobs in the Great Depression. She worked in the bread-lines, distributed their paper, The Catholic Worker, and absorbed the socialist and pacifist teachings of its founders, Peter Maurin and Dorothy Day.

She met her husband, John Mella, at the Catholic Worker where he was doing pro bono work, and they were married in New York City in June, 1938. During the Second World War, John was a conscientious objector and, with their new family, they worked at the Easton Farm, under the auspices of the Catholic Worker.

After the war, she and John settled, first in Lisle and finally in Wilmette. Their home became a regular stop for members of the Catholic Worker, including Dorothy Day. They were also active in the Christian Family Movement.

After raising a family of eight children, Katherine taught elementary school for more than fifteen years at St. James in Highwood. When her husband died in 1980, she became involved with the Hospice of the North Shore where she was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 1993. In later years she tutored inner city children, at Good News School in Chicago.

She is survived by eight children: Margarita, John, William, Katherine, Michael, Mary, Philip and Joseph; seven grandchildren: Jo, Dale, Katherine, Jason, Rebecca, Joseph and Nicholas; and six great-grandchildren: Bradley, Katrina, Oliver, Jacob, Elijah and Grace.

Patty Crowley, (right), with her daughters Cathy George, (left) and Sister Patsy Crowley, O.S.B

Born in Chicago, Mrs. Crowley, who always said, “Just call me Patty,” graduated from Sacred Heart High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Trinity College in Washington, D.C., and during a weekend at home, met her husband Patrick, whom she married in 1937. Patrick died in 1974.

Originally a Benedictine Oblate at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, Mrs. Crowley later became an Oblate of St. Scholastica Monastery in Chicago, where one of her daughters, Patricia Crowley, O.S.B., is a Sister in the community.

The Crowleys had four other natural children Mary Ann Kono, Catherine George, Patrick Crowley and Joan, who died as an infant. Mrs. Crowley is also survived by their first adopted child Theresa Crowley and their first foster child Al Augustine, two among countless foster children and foreign students the Crowleys reared.

From their early church involvement at the parish level in Wilmette, the Crowleys focused on family issues, race relations and social justice activism. Mrs. Crowley and her husband helped form the Christian Family Movement including Pre-CANA, CANA and Christian Family Action. Mrs. Crowley and her husband were the only American couple, among three married couples, appointed to the Papal Birth Control Commission by the Vatican in 1964.

Mrs. Crowley traveled extensively in the 1960s including four trips to Rome as part of the Vatican Council. After her husband’s death, her focus shifted to helping homeless women and those in need. She also visited imprisoned women at the Metropolitan Correctional Center every Sunday until recently. In later years, Mrs. Crowley, who served on many boards including the Chicago Housing Authority, helped found Deborah’s Place, a North Side women’s homeless shelter. She was known to roll out a sleeping bag and spend the night with the homeless women at the shelter.

In addition to her children, Mrs. Crowley is survived by a brother, John Caron; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.