Ursuline Sisters of Toledo, Ohio

In Memoriam

Sister Patricia Grosse, OSU (Sister Mary Carla)


Sister Patricia Grosse, OSU (Sister Mary Carla), 92, died on September 9, 2023 at Rosary Care Center, Sylvania, OH.  Sister Pat was the daughter of the late Carl and Marie (Kranz) Grosse of Madison, Wisconsin.  


Sister Pat was drawn to Toledo to study classical piano at Mary Manse College, Toledo, OH under Emma Endres-Kountz, an internationally distinguished pianist, teacher and lecturer who began a long association with the former college and the Ursuline Sisters in 1947.  Sister Pat graduated from Mary Manse College with a Bachelor’s degree in 1956, and that same year entered the Ursuline Convent.  In 1974, Sister Pat earned a Master’s degree from Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  


Sister Pat’s teaching ministry included Rosary Cathedral, St. John the Baptist, St. Agnes, St. Patrick of Heatherdowns, and Good Shepherd schools in Toledo, and St. Mary’s school in Tiffin, OH. She taught Remedial Reading at St. Ursula Academy for two years before becoming a certified nurse aide at Ursuline Center.  


Sister Pat later studied and became involved in the healing arts through healing touch and reflexology.  “I enjoy working in the health care field and learning new ways of helping people.  In this I feel totally encouraged by St. Angela Merici, our foundress, who encouraged us to risk new ways in going where we are needed,” Sister Pat said in 2013.


Sister Pat also taught piano lessons and shared her gift of music with those at Ursuline Center.  Most recently, Sister Pat’s ministry was one of prayer and presence. 


Sister Pat was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Kenneth.  She is survived by cousins and her Ursuline Sisters and Associates of the Ursuline Convent.


Visitation will be held on Monday, September 18, 2023, beginning at 9 a.m. at Ursuline Center Chapel, 4035 Indian Road, Toledo, Ohio, with a Funeral Mass beginning at 10:30 a.m.  Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to the Ursuline Convent, 4045 Indian Road, Toledo, Ohio  43606.  Please sign the guest register at CoyleFuneralHome.com.  Arrangements are by Coyle Funeral Home.

Sister M. Stephanie Helfrich, OSU

(Dorothy Frances Helfrich)

1934-2023

 

Sister M. Stephanie Helfrich, 88, died at Otterbein Sunset House on Sunday, April 30, 2023. Sister Stephanie, daughter of the late Stephen and Dorothy (Rowe) Helfrich, entered the Ursuline Convent from St. Agnes Parish, Toledo, Ohio, in August of 1955. She graduated from St. Ursula Academy in 1952 and Mary Manse College in 1963 where she earned a Bachelor’s degree.  


When reflecting in 2022 on her 70 years as an Ursuline Sister, Sister Stephanie said, “I would not give up one day of my life to be any younger because of all the wonderful experiences I’ve had, through all my different ministries.  Each offered great opportunities with God’s people.”


Sister Stephanie taught at St. John the Baptist, Point Place, St. Joseph, Tiffin, and at both Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Rosary Cathedral, Toledo, where she also served as principal.

After teaching, Sister Stephanie participated in and was awarded a certificate from the St. Louis University School of Divinity Institute of Religious Formation program. 


In 1972, Sister Stephanie was elected Councilor on the Ursuline Leadership Team and was later re-elected to the Council for several terms.  Sister Stephanie was a member of the Community’s Formation Team and saw this ministry as an opportunity to assist those seeking a religious vocation, supporting their discernment by walking the journey with them.  At this time she began her long-standing ministry of Spiritual Direction and Retreat work, which gave her the privilege of hearing one’s life story using her gift of gentle listening.  Over the course of nearly half a century, Sister Stephanie helped countless religious and lay persons deepen their walk with God. 


Sister Stephanie served as Assistant Vicar and then Vicar for Religious for the Diocese of Toledo for six years.  She also worked in the Business Office of the Ursuline Convent as a coordinator for health insurance and until recently, continued giving Spiritual Direction and conducting Retreats on a part-time basis. 


Sister Stephanie served on the national board of the Religious Formation Conference and on the executive committee of the National Conference of Vicars for Religious.  Within the Diocese of Toledo, Sister Stephanie served on the Admissions/Formation (Seminary) Board, the Liturgical Commission and the Women in Church – Priests’ Council.  


Sister Stephanie was preceded in death by her parents and brother James (Sharon) Helfrich.  She is survived by her sister-in-law Sharon Helfrich, niece Karen (Grayson) Smith, nephews Stephen Helfrich, James (Dana) Helfrich, Timothy (Deborah, deceased) Helfrich and Jeffery (Cathy) Helfrich, her very close friend Sister Mary Alice Henkel, OSU, as well as her other Sisters and Associates of the Ursuline Community.


Visitation will be held on Monday, May 8, 2023, beginning at 9 a.m. at Ursuline Center, 4035 Indian Road, Toledo, Ohio, with a Funeral Mass beginning at 10:30 a.m.  Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. 


Memorials may be made to the Ursuline Convent, 4045 Indian Road, Toledo, Ohio  43606.  Please sign the guest register at CoyleFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are by Coyle Funeral Home.

Sister Margaret Ann Babione, OSU

(Sister Mary Roberta)

 

Sister Margaret Ann Babione, 96, died at Otterbein Sunset House on May 31, 2022. Sister Margaret Ann, also known as Sister M. Roberta, entered the Ursuline Convent in September of 1943 from St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Toledo, Ohio. She graduated from Central Catholic High School and attended Mary Manse College where she earned a Bachelor’s degree.  Sister Margaret Ann achieved her Master’s degree from Catholic University of America (Toledo Branch) and Certificate of Pastoral Ministry from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. 


Sister Margaret Ann taught at Rosary Cathedral, St. Charles and St. Agnes schools in Toledo; St. Joseph, Tiffin; St. Gerard, Lima; and St. Rose, Perrysburg, where she served as principal for five years. 


Sister Margaret Ann helped with records when Mary Manse College closed in 1975-76.  She then went on to hold Pastoral Ministry positions at St. Francis Xavier, Stillwater, Oklahoma, and at the University of Tennessee, Morton, Tennessee for five years, then came to help in the Diocese of Toledo for three years followed by 10 years working in outreach programs in Monroe and Frenchtown, Michigan Senior Centers. 


Sister Margaret Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Cyril and Helen (Hoffman) Babione, and is survived by her brother, Robert (Gloria), and sister, Sister Barbara Babione, OSF, as well as her Sisters and Associates of the Ursuline Community.


 Visitation will be held on Friday, June 10, beginning at 9 a.m. at Ursuline Center, 4035 Indian Road, Toledo, Ohio, with a Memorial Mass beginning at 10:30 a.m. 


Memorials may be made to the Ursuline Convent, 4045 Indian Road, Toledo, Ohio  43606.  Please sign the guest register at CoyleFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are by Coyle Funeral Home.

Sister Mary Jo Koudelka, OSU 

(Sister Joseph Anne)


Sister Mary Jo Koudelka, OSU, formerly Sister Joseph Anne, died Monday, May 23, 2022 at The Grove at Oakleaf Village, Toledo, Ohio.  

  

Sister Mary Jo was the daughter of the late Francis and Mary Anna (Werling) Koudelka.  She entered the Ursuline Convent in 1952 from St. Joseph Parish, Tiffin, Ohio.  Sister Mary Jo attended St. Joseph School in Tiffin, St. Ursula Academy, and earned an AB degree from Mary Manse College and Master’s degree from the University of Toledo.  She also took advanced study courses at Xavier University. 


Sister Mary Jo’s teaching career was spent at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Teresa, Nazareth Hall, and St. Angela Hall, where she also served as principal.  She taught at St. Anthony Villa and was a coordinator at Cardinal Stritch High School while working part-time in fund raising.  Sister Mary Jo was part of the pastoral team at Ursuline Center for 15 years.  In 2000 Sister Mary Jo was the Caretaker at Oblate Residences Senior Housing and worked part-time at Swan Creek Retirement Village and at Hafner’s Florist.  Following the Toledo Ursuline mission to be available for any work of charity, Sister Mary Jo tutored at Women Blessing Women and was a Reader/Recorder of the Catholic Chronicle for Equal Access Ministry (for the visually impaired).  She also volunteered at Mercy Health St. Anne’s Hospital and Ursuline Center.  


Perhaps most fulfilling to Sister Mary Jo was her volunteer work at Hospice of Northwest Ohio.  Several years ago, Sister Mary Jo wrote, “For many years I had hoped that someday I would be able to give service to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.  From the beginning I knew I could not do this work on my own, so I asked the Lord to enter each situation through me and direct me in the best way possible.  Each week I experience what I call “Little Miracles” and when I go home, I know I have received much more than I have given that day.”


Sister Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Gregory Koudelka; and sister, Joan Smith.  She is survived by her brother, James (Judy) Koudelka, numerous nieces and nephews, and her Sisters and Associates of the Ursuline Community.


Sister Mary Jo donated her body to The University of Toledo, College of Medicine.


The Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Ursuline Center, 4035 Indian 

Road, Toledo, OH.  Memorials may be made to the Ursuline Convent, 4045 Indian Road, Toledo, OH  43606. Arrangements by Coyle Funeral Home where one can sign the guest registry at CoyleFuneralHome.com. 
Sister Kathleen Padden - In Memoriam - Ursuline Sisters of Toledo, Ohio
Sister Kathleen Padden

Sister Kathleen Padden, 91, a leader in education and her Ursuline Community, died November 3, 2020 at Ursuline Center. Sister Kathleen was much loved and respected within the St. Ursula Academy and Catholic community. She was an advocate for all-girls education, a mentor and encourager, had a warm smile and sense of humor, and was a wealth of knowledge about our rich Ursuline history.



Sister Kathleen’s love of history and education followed her throughout various ministerial assignments. Her teaching career began in the elementary schools of Rosary Cathedral and St. Angela Hall in Toledo; St. Gerard, Lima; and St. Rose, Perrysburg. She taught Health and Physical Education, History, American Government, and Religion at St. Ursula Academy. Sister Kathleen became Assistant Principal in 1966 and assumed the principalship in 1970. From 1974 – 76 she was the Assistant to the Principal at Central Catholic High School, Toledo. 


In 1976, Sister Kathleen was elected to the General Council of the Ursuline community and served in that capacity for two three-year terms. Sister Kathleen also served as the High School Consultant for the Diocese of Toledo. In 1979 she returned to St. Ursula Academy as Principal. She served there until 1982 when she was elected General Superior of the Community, serving there for two terms. In 1989, after a short sabbatical, Sister Kathleen went to Hachinohe, Japan and taught conversational English at St. Ursula High School. Upon her return, she was assigned to St. Ursula Academy and served as President until she retired in 2001, having served a total of 28 years at St. Ursula Academy. She was elected to the General Council in 2002 for one four-year term and also served as Archivist.


Sister Kathleen enjoyed serving as Archivist and was always eager to share her knowledge and stories about the formation of the Toledo Ursulines, ministries of the Sisters, the changes she had seen in her 70 years of profession, and more, until her health would no longer permit her to do so. 


Sister Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, John R. and Katherine (Cartwright) Padden, brothers John R. Jr. and Maurice ‘Tim’ Padden, and her sister, Patricia Davis. She remained especially close to her surviving sisters-in-law, Lois G. Padden and Janice E. Padden, and her large extended family, who along with her Ursuline Sisters, Associates and friends, celebrated her 70th Jubilee 2020. 

Sister M. Antoinette Consentino - In Memoriam - Ursuline Sisters of Toledo, Ohio
Sister M. Antoinette Cosentino

Sister M. Antoinette Cosentino, the longest-living Toledo Ursuline, died November 8, 2020 at Ursuline Center at the age of 103. 



Five months before her death, Sister Antoinette had celebrated her birthday, pandemic style, with family and friends holding signs, waving and singing ‘happy birthday’ from outside the Ursuline Center windows. “My friends keep me going with their prayers,” she often said. 


Sister Antoinette taught at St. Angela Hall, St. Thomas, Good Shepherd, St. John, St. Agnes, and Rosary Cathedral schools in Toledo; St. Rose in Perrysburg; St. Gerard in Lima; Nazareth Hall in Grand Rapids, Ohio; and St. Mary’s School in Tiffin. She served as Principal at St. Gerard, Lima after having taught for more than 45 years. Sister Antoinette became the Director for Religious Education at St. Bernard in New Washington, Ohio, and at St. Jude in DeWitt, Michigan. She then served as a part-time teacher in the Religious Education classes at St. Charles Parish in Toledo, and a teachers’ aide at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Toledo. Sister Antoinette tutored individuals at St. Ursula Academy Convent and served as the Sacristan for the Ursuline Center until her health would no longer permit her to do so. 


Sister Antoinette was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Rose (Calo) Cosentino and three of her siblings: Sister Mary Jane Cosentino, OSU, Catherine Cicconetti , and Vincent Cosentino. She is survived by her sister Theresa Enciso and brother Joseph Cosentino, Jr., cousins in Ohio and New Jersey, and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and great-grand-nieces and great-grand-nephews totaling approximately 50, as well as her Sisters and Associates in the Ursuline Community. 

Sister Elizabeth Marie Brell - In Memoriam - Ursuline Sisters of Toledo, Ohio
Sister Elizabeth Marie Brell

Sister Elizabeth Marie Brell, 94, died at the Ursuline Center on March 29, 2021. Throughout Sister Liz’s long life she was passionate about family, education, teaching, travel, art, and her many, many friends of all ages and backgrounds.



Sister Elizabeth Marie began her teaching career at St. Angela Hall and continued at Good Shepherd, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. John, and St. Charles schools in Toledo; St. Mary, Tiffin; and St. Rose, Perrysburg. She served as Principal at St. Gerard, Lima, and at St. John and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. She taught Art at Central Catholic High School. Sister Elizabeth Marie served on the Toledo Diocesan Liturgical Commission and was a co-founder of the Toledo Diocesan Elementary Principals’ Association. 


Leaving the education field after 32 years, Sister Elizabeth Marie became a Licensed Practical Nurse, spending 17 years at the former Riverside Hospital and St. Charles Hospital (Toledo), where she especially loved working second or third shift in the nursery so she could rock the newborns. When Sister Liz retired from nursing, she pursued a variety of interests, primarily in art. She drew, painted, and made note cards (sometimes on paper she made). Her love for art began while she was in late grade school, when she took art lessons at the Toledo Museum of Art on Saturday mornings. Many years later she enrolled in a pottery course, soon becoming an accomplished potter. She loved these new mediums of clay, porcelain and stoneware, as well as the new friends she made. One particular piece she created, a “dwelling place” designed to replicate an African hut, was one of two pieces, chosen from among 50, to be exhibited at the Toledo Museum of Art. She made hundreds of bowls, platters, vases, and other primarily utilitarian pieces – selling much of her work each summer at The University of Toledo’s Art on the Mall, but also graciously sharing her work with her extended family. Today these cherished pieces are still in use or on display at most of her nieces’ and nephews’ homes.


Sister Liz loved to travel, especially in Western Europe, but was always up for a road trip anywhere, either driving alone or with friends. A special destination for many years was Muskegon, Michigan to visit her sister Pat and family. 


In her later years, Sister Liz was chairman of the Ursuline Center Building Committee, oversaw the community’s vast collection of artwork, and enjoyed sharing her knowledge of that artwork and its artists with others. With her fine eye for design, Sister Liz decorated the Ursuline Center lobby and chapel throughout the year. 


Sister Elizabeth Marie was preceded in death by her parents; Clarence and Bernice (Fike) Brell, sisters, Mary Louise “Pat” (Ronald, deceased) Byersmith and Barbara “Poochie” (Peter, deceased) Weston; brother, R. Michael “Mike” (Ursula, deceased) Brell; sister-in-law, Joanne Seidel Brell; and niece, Rebecca Brell Heater. She is survived by her brother, Thomas “Tom”; numerous loving nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, with more on the way; and her Sisters and Associates of the Ursuline Community.


Sister Elizabeth Marie, who celebrated 70 years as an Ursuline, donated her body to The University of Toledo, College of Medicine. 

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