Sister Mary Lou Kurek OSF

KUREK

Sister Mary Lou, OSF 1943-2014



Sister Mary Lou Kurek (formerly Sister M. Charles) entered life on April 23, 1943 and entered eternal life on March 25, 2014. The daughter of Anthony and Lottie Kurek was born in Toledo, Ohio, attended Our Lady of Lourdes Grade School and Rogers High School. Sister Mary Lou became a postulant with the Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, Ohio, after graduating from Bowling Green State University in 1967. She enjoyed learning so much she decided to be a teacher and taught at elementary schools in Ohio and Michigan. Sister Mary Lou taught history, physical education and even spent some time as a librarian. Sister was a tutor and remedial teacher for a short time and volunteered as an aide, working with developmentally disabled students.

Sister Mary Lou spent the last 23 years of her life in Third Age Prayer Ministry at Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, due to chronic progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In an attempt to help others who suffer from this debilitating disease, Sister Mary Lou donated her brain to the MS Research Center. Her ministry was one of prayer and witness to others. She eventually needed total care from others, but her caregivers at Rosary Care Center

enjoyed her quick wit and found her always grateful for whatever they did for her. When asked what she was

going to give up for Lent she would reply, "I'm giving up watermelon and cigars!"

Sister Mary Lou's prayer ministry was very important to her and she simply talked to God about what a person needed her to pray for since she was unable to hold a prayer book or a rosary.

Sister Mary Lou will be missed by her caregivers, especially Therese Martin, her many visitors and spiritual friends, her dear family,

sisters, Barb, Chris and Nancy, and the Sisters in her

religious community. She was an example of Rabbi Abraham Heschel's statement, "Just to be is a blessing, just to live is holy."

There will be a Welcoming for Sister Mary Lou in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Francis in

Sylvania at 6 p.m., Sunday, March 30, 2014, followed by visitation until 8 p.m. Her

funeral will be at 4:30 p.m., Monday, March 31, 2014 also in Queen of Peace Chapel, preceded by visitation throughout the day. Interment will be in Porta Coeli Cemetery on the campus of the Sisters. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, Ohio.

Arrangements by Thomas I. Wisniewski Funeral Home, Toledo, Ohio.