Sister Mary Ann Immaculate entered eternal life in the very early hours of Monday, March 4, 2024 at Carmel Richmond. She died very peacefully with Sister Mary Suzanne, Sister Patricia Margaret, Sister Mary Anne Dennehy, and Sister M. Sharon Rose Carmel, as well as Sr. M. Dolores Carmel, praying the Rosary at her bedside. Sister Mary Ann was in the 70th year of her religious life, her Jubilee Year.

 

Constance Helen Wasilko was born in Brooklyn, on June 25, 1933. Her parents, Nicholas and Mary (nee Grenus) Wasilko, predeceased her. She was the oldest of five siblings and is survived by Evelyn, Thomas, Daniel, and Linda, all of whom visited her in very recent days.

 

Sister Mary Ann entered our Congregation on February 1, 1954, professed First Vows on September 8, 1955, and Perpetual Vows on December 8, 1960. She was trained as an LP and graduated from St. Joseph Hospital School of Practical Nursing in 1958. Her vow of Obedience brought her to Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York. Always generous in her ministry to the residents of our homes, Sister Mary Ann held positions in nursing, quality assurance, administration, adult day care, and pastoral care, and had also been appointed assistant prioress, and prioress. Her most recent Missions were St Joseph Nursing Home (1987-1999), and Carmel Richmond (1999-present). She greatly regarded the staff who shared the Carmelite Mission, and they, in turn, loved and respected her very much.

 

Sister Mary Ann had a realistic view of life and would often remark “It is what it is.” She had great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and during her final days requested that a Vigil Lamp be placed before the statue of the Sacred Heart in the Chapel at St. Teresa’s Motherhouse. She was also devoted to St. Joseph, who most certainly was beside her as she passed peacefully to her eternal reward. May Sr. Mary Ann Immaculate’s reward be great as we remember her with love and gratitude.