Sr. M. Eugene WILK

WILK Sister M. Eugene, OSF 1919-2011 Sylvania Franciscan Sister M. Eugene Wilk died on September 1, 2011, at Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, Ohio, where she had lived as a resident since 1999. The daughter of Frank and Amalia Wilk, she was born on March 27, 1919, in Detroit, Michigan. She professed her first vows as a Sister of St. Francis on August 18, 1942 and her final vows on August 18, 1945. Sister Eugene spent most of her 69 years in religious life in the teaching ministry at the elementary and secondary school levels. She taught in elementary schools for 17 years in parish-related schools in Ohio, Michigan and Minnesota. She taught in secondary schools for 25 years, six years at St. Ladislaus in Hamtramck, Michigan, one year at Cardinal Stritch in Oregon, Ohio and for 18 years at Central Catholic (CCHS) in Toledo, Ohio. Her teaching specialties were biology, science, health and religion. She also spent 14 years as a catechist and secretary at St. Claude Parish in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. After caring for her aging brother priest (Rev. Edward Wilk), she entered Rosary Care Center where she carried out her ministry of hospitality and prayer until the day before she died. Sister Eugene's preparation for teaching began at Mary Manse College in Toledo, Ohio where she received a BA degree in social studies and biology and continued at the University of Toledo where she received a MA in education and biology. Some of her high school biology students still visited her in her later years and reminisced about their favorite biology teacher at CCHS. Sister Eugene will be missed for her gracious hospitality, warm smile and genuine interest in the lives and work of the people she encountered. Even as the self-appointed "Security Guard" at Rosary Care Center, she showed her love and concern for all those she met. She will be dearly missed by her Sylvania Franciscan Sisters and her family and friends. There will be a viewing on Monday, September 5, 2011, from 3:00-9:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Scripture service at Jurkiewicz and Wilk Funeral Home, 2396 Caniff, Hamtramck, MI. There will be a Welcoming Service for Sister Eugene in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at the Sisters of St. Francis Motherhouse in Sylvania on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, from 6:00-8:00 PM. All are welcome. Her funeral liturgy will take place the next day, Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 4:30 PM preceded by visitation throughout the day. Interment will be in Porta Coeli Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds. Donations and memorials may be sent to the Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, Ohio.