Sister M. Rosanne Kavalauskas, OSF
Sister M. Rosanne Kavalauskas, a member of the Sister of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 60 years, died on December 13, 2002, at the congregation’s motherhouse. She was 90 years old. A native of Grand Rapids, MI, she entered the community on January 31, 1949. Sister Rosanne actually moved to Pittsburgh to enroll at St. Francis Academy, graduating in 1938 – one of twelve in her class. Although she felt an inclination toward religious life, she went back to Grand Rapids where she attended Aquinas College and worked as a secretary, until returning in 1949 as a postulant. She then completed her undergraduate studies at Duquesne University and later received a Master’s in Education. Sister also attended Boston University and completed courses at the Institute for Religious Women at Mt. Mercy College. From 1950 to 1991, her teaching assignments included DuBois, PA, Hartford, CT, Grand Rapids, MI, and Pittsburgh, including her alma mater, St. Francis Academy. Upon returning to the motherhouse, she called upon her days as a secretary, filling a similar capacity at the Franciscan Child Day Care center. Along with her living community life with her Sisters, one of Sister Rosanne’s greatest satisfactions was working with teenagers and she continued to hear from many of her former students long after their school years. Sister also had a tremendous devotion of prayer for vocations, feeling that we all must pray so that men and women will be encouraged to serve the Church. A favorite quotation of Sister Rosanne’s, which she memorized from a college freshman English class in 1938 reads, "I have lived my life and that which I have done, may He within Himself make pure."
Sister Maria Rainaldi , OSF
Sister Maria Rainaldi, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 59 years, died on August 9, 2009, at the 
congregation’s motherhouse. She was 78 years old. A native of Pittsburgh, she entered the community on September 7, 1949, shortly after her graduation from St. Francis Academy. Shortly thereafter, Sister Maria Goretti (as she was then known) travelled to Los Angeles where she taught second grade at Our Lady Help of Christians School. Upon her return, and for the next 14 years, she taught at St. Valentine’s (Bethel Park) and Pittsburgh’s Canevin High School. This was followed by 14 years as an art teacher at St. Francis Academy. It was during these years that Sister completed her B.A. degree at Mount Saint Mercy (Carlow) and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Art Therapy from Wright State University. Though never reaching her dream of becoming a nurse, Sister used her art therapy degree as an art therapist in a variety of settings throughout the U.S. This included the House of Affirmation in Clearwater, FL; Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Louisville, KY, and Presbyterian SeniorCare in Washington, PA. In 1995, Sister Maria accepted the role as Director of Associates for the congregation, nurturing those Associates who lived in the Pittsburgh region, and keeping in touch with members who lived elsewhere. This eventually led to her taking on the role as Director of the Tri-Diocesan Associates program. During the past several years, she worked as a part-time assistant at Holy Spirit parish in West Mifflin. Reminders of Sister Maria’s works could often be seen throughout the motherhouse -- her beautiful floral arrangements, artistic displays in the chapel and Jubilee cards and invitations are but a few examples of her talents.
Sister M. Pierre Guadiesius, O.S.F.
Sister M. Pierre Gaudiesius, age 97, died on September 3, 2009. She had been a member of the congregation for nearly 78 years, having entered in September, 1931. A native of Elizabeth, NJ, she spent her elementary years at SS Peter & Paul School and graduated from Sacred Heart HS in Elizabeth. After completing her novitiate, she began a teaching career that encompassed over 53 years in communities such as Mahanoy City, PA; Grand Rapids, MI; Amsterdam, NY; Homestead, PA; Grand Rapids, MI; Bethel Park, PA; New Kensington, PA; E. St. Louis, MO; Philadelphia, PA; Moon Run, PA; Kearny, NJ; and even her home parish of SS Peter & Paul. During these years, she also served as principal in several schools. In 1987, Sister Pierre returned to the motherhouse where she ministered as Assistant Coordinator of the infirmary staff until 1994. For the next several years, she was responsible for all of the sewing needed in the infirmary. Sister was a gifted and talented seamstress and was always stitching, reweaving or repairing the sisters’ habits or other apparel in need of mending. Her sewing skills flourished as she also prepared beautiful layette sets to be sold in the craft shop. In 2001, Sister relinquished all her various duties and began in earnest her years as a dedicated minister of prayer. She will be fondly remembered as soft spoken and gentle, whether engaging in conversation with the sisters, the staff or her friend and confidant, "Pearl," her pet cockatto. Sister Pierre was a graduate of Duquesne University, having earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education.
The obituary page is updated monthly. Listed below are Sisters from our USA Province who have died in the last year. If you would like more information about a Sister, please call (412) 885-7232.
| Sister M. Felicita Butrim | June 10, 2009 |
| Marietta Zvirblis | June 3, 2009 |
| Sister Mary Assisi Yurgelaitis | April 18, 2009 |
| Sister M. Immaculata Miltenis | March 5, 2008 |