Sister Mildred Zember passed away in her sleep on October 12, 2015. Join us in praising God for her life and celebrating her 66 years of service as a Benedictine Sisters of Chicago. Funeral arrangements are listed below. Please keep Sister Mildred, her Benedictine Sisters, and her family in your prayers. Meanwhile, we invite you to learn a little bit about our beloved Sister Mildred:
Anyone who knew Sister Mildred, knew that hear heart was full of faith and her eyes sparkled with the joy of living. She came into the world in 1925 and was named Helen Kathleen Zember. Her parents raised her and her five siblings with devout faith on their Colorado farm.
In college she became reacquainted with Father McCarthy who had baptized her. He helped her start the school’s Newman Club. Before long, she began to see a call to religious life and Father McCarthy suggested she get to know the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago. She entered Saint Scholastica Monastery in 1944 and made her final vows in 1949.
She finished her Bachelor of Philosophy degree at DePaul University and became a teacher at Queen of All Saints and Saint Hilary schools in Chicago. She was later assigned to parish schools in her home state of Colorado. She eventually returned to the Chicago area and ministered at Mother of God, Saint Symphorosa, and Queen of the Rosary parishes. She assisted with the monastery’s Oblate program and became involved in the Diocesan catechetical ministry, receiving the Catechetical Ministry Award from the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Throughout her life, Sister Mildred sought to walk in the footsteps of Christ, teaching her fellow Catholics and living the gospel. Even in her final years, she would sing songs that she used to practice with her elementary school students. We are sure today she is singing joyfully among the heavenly chorus.
Funeral Arrangements
Visitation: Friday, October 16, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass: Friday, October 16 5:00 p.m.
Private Interment at All Saints Cemetary