Sr. Maureen Lewis, CSJ

Charlotte Lewis was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, on March 30, 1924, the daughter of Charles and Mary Margaret (O’Leary) Lewis. Charlotte was a member of St. Rita’s Parish in Detroit at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on June 18, 1939. She received the name Sister Maureen at her reception on August 24, 1940. She pronounced first vows on August 25, 1942, and final vows on August 25, 1945. Sister Maureen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Nazareth College and a Master of Arts degree in Music from the University of Notre Dame. She took additional classes and workshops to keep updated in her many and varied ministries. Sister taught for twenty-five years in several schools of the Congregation including St. James, Ferndale, St. Henry, Lincoln Park, and St. David, Detroit. Sister Maureen served for two terms as Secretary General of the Congregation, and then as office manager at St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord and at the Marquette Diocese Department of Education. Sister Maureen also did volunteer data entry work at Borgess Medical Center and established a computer lab in the SSJ motherhouse for the use of all the sisters. Sister Maureen was a woman of great vision, blessed abundantly with courage, strength, faith and wisdom. She served her God in a humble, gentle manner. Her compassionate and sensitive heart enabled her to minister to the needs of the dear neighbor in a variety of ways. Sister Maureen was most grateful to the Congregation for their love, support and the many opportunities that were provided for her not only to grow professionally, but to deepen her relationship with God. Her favorite scripture passage was Psalm 63 (2-9): “O God, You are my God whom I seek …”. May Sister Maureen now enjoy the blessed vision of the God whom she so faithfully served all her life. A vigil service will be Tuesday October 28, 2014 at 7 pm at Holy Family Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday October 29, 2014 at 10:30 am at Holy Family Chapel with Rev. Fr. Stanley Witek, Celebrant. Interment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Arrangements by Redmond Funeral Home. Kalamazoo, MI. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net