Sister Joann Dziolek, 1934-2017
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Born July 11, 1934 in Free Soil, Michigan Entered Our Lady of Sorrows Convent, Tinley Park, Illinois August 22, 1955 Received habit, February 10, 1956 First Profession, February 22, 1957 Transferred profession of stability |
Sister Joann Dziolek, OSB was born on July 11, 1934 in Free Soil, MI to Stanley and Aberdeen Roskoskey Dziolek. Joann was one of five children: two boys, one of whom died shortly after birth, and three girls.
Joann played basketball in high school, and took her love of sports with her in 1955 when she entered Our Lady of Sorrows Convent in Tinley Park, IL, a Benedictine community. The next year she received the name Sister Scholastica as a novice. First profession followed in 1957, perpetual in 1960. Sister Scholastica completed her B.S. degree from DePaul University in Elementary Education in 1973 and taught primary grades in the Chicago area. For several years she served as novice director for the community while working as a teacher.
By 1975 Sister Joann returned to her baptismal name, and began the transfer process to St. Walburg Monastery which was completed in 1977. She taught primary grades at St. Henry Elementary and Villa Madonna Academy, and later served as a substitute teacher. While a member of the St. Walburg community, she celebrated her silver jubilee in 1982 and golden jubilee in 2007.
Sister Joann suffered a significant loss of hearing. For several years she was able to use a headset in chapel, until this proved too challenging. It never impaired her ability to smile, or to call sisters by name. She faithfully read the bulletins sent to her from her parish church in Michigan, and her eyes lit up whenever anyone talked of traveling there.
The Detroit Tigers had a loyal fan in Sister Joann. She enjoyed teasing the Kentuckians whose favorite teams hailed from points further south.
Sister Joann died in the late evening of August 3. She is survived by her sister Rosemary, several nieces and nephews, and the Benedictine community. Vigil was held the evening of August 6, 2017 with Mass of Christian Burial on August 7, 2017. She is interred in St. Walburg Monastery Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Walburg Monastery, 2500 Amsterdam Rd, Villa Hills, KY 41017