Sister M. Clarentia LASKO

LASKO Sister M. Clarentia, OSF 1917-2011 Sister M. Clarentia Lasko died on May 4, 2011, at Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, OH, where she resided for the past 13 years. The former Helen Mary Lasko was born to Wladyslaw and Mary Lasko on October 12, 1917, in Youngstown, OH. She professed her first vows on August 16, 1938 and her final vows on August 18, 1941. Sister Clarentia taught for 61 years in elementary schools in Michigan and Wisconsin, 35 of those years at St. Ladislaus School in Hamtramck, MI. Due to a health related problem with her voice, she taught remedial reading to small groups and tutored students for many years. This was quite a switch from the 65 students per class in her early teaching days. She loved to teach and delighted in seeing the progress of her students as she devised individual reading programs for them. When Sister Clarentia returned to the Motherhouse in Sylvania, she kept herself very busy making arts and craft items for the gift shop and for the craft sales. She made numerous afghans and clown puppets that brought smiles to everyone who saw them. Sister Clarentia was particularly fond of telling stories about her 35 years of teaching at St. Ladislaus in Hamtramck. She felt privileged to prepare the third graders for First Communion and helped many students conquer their difficulties with reading through her creative teaching and perseverance. She actually taught at the school until its closing in 1989 and then continued to teach at two other schools in Michigan. Sister Clarentia will be remembered by all who knew her as a woman of courage, patience and perseverance. Her health problems were challenging but she never complained or seemed upset about them. She had a ready smile and even though it took longer for her to communicate with people she did so with such graciousness and patience that you came away from the encounter with admiration for her ability to cope. Sister Clarentia was a prayerful woman and spent many hours in her last days in prayer for all who asked for them. She will be missed by her Sisters in community, her family and friends. Sister Clarentia will be welcomed home at 6:00 PM on Monday, May 9, 2011, in a special ceremony of remembrance in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at the Motherhouse of the Sylvania Franciscans. Visitors are welcome. Viewing will be held until 8:00 PM on Monday and from 9:00 AM until the funeral at 4:30 PM on Tuesday, May 10, 2011. Donations and memorials may be sent to the Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, OH. Arrangements made by Thomas I. Wisniewski Funeral Home, Toledo, OH.