Sister M. Matthias KOLINSKI

KOLINSKI Sister M. Matthias, OSF 1913-2011 Sylvania Franciscan Sister M. Matthias Kolinski, died on December 27, 2011, at Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, Ohio where she had lived since 1998. The daughter of Ignatius and Theodora Kolinski, she was born on June 27, 1913, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She came to the Sylvania Franciscans on June 23, 1931, just four days before her 18th birthday. She professed her vows as a Sister of St. Francis on August 16, 1934 and her final vows on August 18, 1937. Sister Matthias spent the majority of her 77 years of religious life involved in elementary education. Her ministry included the middle and upper grades in Catholic elementary schools in Toledo and Sylvania, Ohio; in Hamtramck and Detroit, Michigan; in Minneapolis and Wells, Minnesota; and in Ilchester, Maryland. In 1984, at the age of 71, she began service for 14 years as a tutor at the Northeast Regional Catholic School in Minneapolis. Her final service was a Third Age Ministry of living at Rosary Care Center for the past 13 years where she was an example of faithfulness and gratitude. Sister Matthias not only loved the field of education but also was highly educated herself, earning a BA degree in Education and a MA degree in Education both from the University of Detroit. Those who knew Sister Matthias remember her as a woman of integrity and kindness; always ready to learn new things. She was someone who understood the importance of education and someone you could count on when you needed an attentive ear. She had that special ability to reflect honest humility and at the same time make life-giving decisions. A true friend to many and a smile that welcomed all. There will be a Welcoming for Sister Matthias at Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel Sisters of St. Francis Motherhouse in Sylvania on Monday, January 2, 2012, from 6-8 p.m. Her funeral liturgy will be held in Queen of Peace Chapel on Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at 4 p.m. preceded by visitation throughout the day. Interment will be in Porta Coeli Cemetery on the Sylvania Franciscan Motherhouse grounds. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio. Arrangements by Thomas I. Wisniewski Funeral Home, Toledo.