Sister Mary Alice Zander

Sister Mary Alice Zander died March 5, 2011, at 1:18 p.m. (CST) at St. Francis Hospital, Evanston, IL. She was born on June 12, 1944 in Chicago, IL to Joseph and Gertrude Toussaint Zander. Sister Mary Alice entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on Sept. 17, 1962 and received the name Sister Joseph Gertrude. She earned a bachelor's degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master's degree from Mundelein University. Of her 48 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as a teacher and coordinator/director of religious education in parishes in Chicago for 23 years. In 1994, she was appointed director of novices to which she gave six years. She then moved into the ministry of retreats and spiritual direction. In 2005, the Congregation asked her to give leadership to developing and moving forward the Providence Associate relationship. She was still involved in this ministry when she became ill and continued her work with it up to her death. Sister is survived by cousins. The wake is Wednesday and Mass of the Christian Burial is Thursday, followed by burial at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Barnabas Church in Chicago at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 12. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876-1007