Remembering with Gratitude and Joy
In November, the Catholic Church prays for and remembers all of our deceased loved ones. As A New Genesis Community, we would like to share a bit about our deceased members with you. We remember them with gratitude and joy. We know their spirit remains with us today. We also promise to pray for the deceased members of all our friends and families.
Sr. Marlene Greatens ~Sr. Marita Gilsdorf, Sherwood
The phrase that best describes Sister Marlene Greatens is one that I heard at her funeral. “Marlene didn’t have a mean bone in her body.” She was a gentle soul This quality endeared her to her parishioners at Saint Joseph, Kellnersville where she died in a fire. I often joined her for her service at her parish. She led her people with kindness and foresight. These same qualities were what she practiced during her career in high school teaching.
She went home to care for her aging father at the time she joined A New Genesis. I have known Sister Marlene since we were teenagers. She was an easy companion as we traveled across the country from Yellowstone to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We had season tickets to the Weidner Theater. She and her dog, Dolly, spent many Sundays at my home. Marlene enjoyed life also knowing how to accept all of it from God’s hand.
My most prized picture of Marlene is one taken at a cottage in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She is standing behind me with her hand on my shoulder. I pray that she keeps her hand on all of us as we travel through life and will eventually meet again. Marlene died on December 23.2004.
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Sr. Dolores Santill-Sr. Stephanie Spence and Sr. Carmelyn Gentrup, Appleton
Dolores was courageous and determined—she belonged to two other communities previously, but her independent spirit led her to A New Genesis. She was looking for a community who shared her idea of mission and from whom she would receive support in spiritual growth.
She enjoyed teaching and working with children in any capacity. Once when she was facing difficulties at work, she enlisted Bishop Wycislo’s help to certify that she belonged to a “real” religious community. Dolores's interaction with Bishop Wycislo was one of humor, teasing and laughter. Their bantering back and forth was entertaining to witness. They were always happy to see each other.
Dolores was also a cancer survivor, She, Sr. Mary Bride and Sr. Mary Ramone found common ground in their struggle to overcome cancer. She brought her friends to meet the community, Father Doug and Sister Christine, the vocations director in Cleveland who led Dolores to us. Her laugh and her direct way of speaking were so characteristic of her. As she often exclaimed, “I say it like it is”! Dolores’ cancer returned and she died on Sept. 26 in 2004.
Sr. Rose Immaculate Babiarz ~ Sr. Carmelyn Gentrup, Appleton
It was always a delight to see and visit with Rose each year when she faithfully came to ANG’S annual corporate meeting. She brought with her a delightful eagerness just to be with us. In conversation, she always lifted up my spirit by seeing the positive in community with a new perspective.
Music was Rose’s passion. She always had a musical part in the ANG Meetings. Rose had wonderful stories to tell about her parish choir, discovering and encouraging individuals to use their music and singing abilities, whether they be teens or seniors. And the choir loved her leadership because she involved the choir in making decisions about what songs would be appropriate for weekend Masses and special occasions. The choir was their best at Rose’s funeral Mass.
I witnessed Rose’s care for her ailing sister, Dr. Mary Hemstreet, as she patiently tended to her sister’s personal care, diet and doctor visits. She did this with patience and devotion. I went with the two of them to a doctor’s visit waiting a long time for our turn. No word of complaint or criticism was expressed. Rose provided spiritual care for her sister by bringing her the Eucharist and praying each morning and night with her. Rose died November 27, 2008.
Sister Alice Ann Becker ~Kathy Damon, Appleton, WI
Sister Alice Ann Becker… such a gem! I got to really know her well after she moved into St. Paul Villa. I called one afternoon and asked if she would like a little company. Yes, she would like company. And that was just the beginning of what became a version of Mitch Album's book, “Tuesdays with Morrie.” For me it was “Afternoons with Alice.” Her smile warmed my heart and her contagious laughter lit up the room.
Alice Ann was not quick to initiate telling stories about herself, but when asked, she delighted in sharing. I was struck by her positive attitude as it became obvious that Alice Ann was a person who turned challenges into opportunities. She looked for the good and rarely expressed regret about anything in her life. Alice Ann witnessed God through her ministry with youth and the elderly. She privileged and inspired me with her sharing. I will always hold our conversations close to my heart because she opened hers to me
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Alice Ann’s faith was her anchor and that grew even stronger as she approached death. She told me that she wanted to “Go to God” and she told another friend that “God was getting ready to take me home.” She had lived her best and anticipated eternity with God. May we all be as faith-filled as she was. I miss you, Alice Ann! Sister Alice Ann died on October 30, 2006.
Jeanne Dixon ~ Sr. Stephanie Spence, Appleton
Jean was a soul on a journey—searching for God’s will in her life. When she first joined A New Genesis, she had just left the Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Cross (Bay Settlement community) and was teaching for Sr. Carmelyn in Kaukauna. She went on to get her Master Degree and license as a counselor.
Jeanne was hoping to find a life partner and get married. The community was present at her wedding to Phillip Dixon. She was so excited to set up a counseling business in Marinette, where she had worked for Lutheran Social Services. We had a meeting at her new place and blessed it.
Jeanne struggled with her bi-polar condition and for many reasons had to give up her business and worked for Iris House and NAMI of Appleton, assisting and advocating for those with mental illness.
Jeanne and Phil divorced after a few years, and she was again living a single life. She said she tried all three vocations (religious, married, single) and was happiest as a single person. As a member of the writing committee for Living the Call, she was a great advocate for including the single vocation and associate membership. Jeanne was member of the Spirituality Ministry and an active volunteer at her parish of St. Bernadette in Appleton. She was especially remembered for her work on the annual parish rummage sale. Jeanne died suddenly on February 6, 2020.
Jan Wichlacz~ Sr. Diane Baumann, New London, WI
When Jan celebrated her associate membership (the term at the time) in A New Genesis on June 26, 1999, it was one of the happiest days of her life. She had many happy moments before that in her marriage and the births of her children and grandchildren. But Jan's life-long quest for spiritual growth was uniquely expressed in her ANG membership.
Jan's spirituality was embodied concretely in her daily life. She was the soul of generosity, and an advocate for the handicapped. She served her parish, county and civic communities through board memberships and presidency. The Eucharist was a special treasure for her, and she enjoyed ministering as a Eucharistic Minister, both at Mass and to the home-bound.
Jan was also a loyal friend, who showed support for her life-long friends in every aspect of their lives, always remembering birthdays, anniversaries, and special events. Her homemade cards took hours to construct and were always sent from the heart, often with a little gift tucked inside. Thank you, Jan, for all the goodness you brought to A New Genesis Community and beyond. Jan died September 5, 2006.
Sr. Mary Ramone Blahnik ~Sister Jeanette Trost and Sr. Verna Fowler
Sister Mary Ramone had an exuberance for life. She had an endearing habit of doing goofy things and laughing at herself. She first helped at the College of Menominee Nation as a tutor at the Stockbridge Munsee site in Gresham. Jeanette and Ramone had great times traveling to the site and engaging with the students. Sometimes there was a short stop at the casino on the way.
When Mary Ramone was diagnosed with cancer, she took cancer treatment as a ministry to others. When my sister Shirley got cancer, Sister Mary Ramone came to pray with her, give her advice about surviving the treatment and brought a big jar of Aqua Salve. She said her doctor recommended it as a way with dealing with radiation burns. Shirley looked forward to Ramone’s helpful visits.
She was hired at the College of Menominee Nation to be in charge of the Oneida Center. The students just loved her warmth and hospitality. She always had water and snacks for them. At her funeral, there were a group of Oneida students in the back of church “crying their eyes out” because she was so accepting and welcoming to them and they would miss her.
Sr. Mary Ramone was the first coordinator of A New Genesis, a difficult role when the community was just forming. Her courage, delegation and warmth helped the community grow. She died December 26, 2004.
Sr. Mary Bride Grubbs - Sr. Marla Clercx, Green Bay, WI
Mary Bride was a pioneering woman in many ways. A former member of the Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity (Manitowoc), she knew she wanted to remain in religious life, and give her life to God’s people. She was one who worked with Bishop Wycislo to found a New Genesis Community. In fact, Mary Bride offered the name A New Genesis for our community, after reading the phrase in an article.
Mary Bride was the first Parish Director in the Green Bay Diocese, and only the second in the Midwest. She served at St. Patrick Parish in Stephensville and St. Denis in Shiocton. Being not only the first lay leader of a parish, but also the first woman, had many joys, but also some struggles as she paved the way for future women as parish leaders. She always advocated for a more inclusive role for women in the church, and for a bigger image of church. She served as Diocesan Chancellor and was the first Victims Assistance Coordinator, listening to and counseling those affected by clergy abuse.
Mary Bride had a quiet but assertive way of challenging the church and its leaders. She had a fiery passion when it came to issues of injustice. A few years after being diagnosed with cancer, she found she could no longer live on her own and moved to Florida to live with her sister and brother-in-law, Kathy and Bill. Her faith was her source of strength in her ministry and her life with cancer. Mary Bride died on February 18, 2014, the 31st anniversary of the founding of A New Genesis.