Sister M. Margaret Martinek, OSF

Obituary of Sister M. Margaret Alice Martinek, OSF

Sister M. Margaret Alice Martinek, OSF

Sister M. Margaret Alice Martinek, OSF (1935 – 2018) died at St. Joseph Medical Center, Joliet, Illinois on April 17, 2018.  A native of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, she was one of ten children born to Margaret and Andrew Martinek.   She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, John and Stephen; and her sister, Patricia Salas.  She is survived by her brothers, Andrew and Edward, both of Pennsylvania; and her sisters, Margaret Pasierb, Betty Ribblett, and Christine Buksa, all of Johnstown, PA and Mary Lorditch of Newburg, NY.  Sister Margaret Alice was a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate (Joliet) for 66 years.  

Before entering religious life, Sister Margaret Alice was a member of St. Stephen Parish in Johnstown, PA and attended St. Stephen Grade School.  She graduated from St. Francis Academy (now Joliet Catholic Academy) and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of St. Francis (University of St. Francis) Joliet, IL.  She continued her studies at DePaul University, Chicago, where she achieved a Master of Education degree.

Sister Margaret Alice ministered in the field of elementary school education for 45 years. From 1954 to 1960 she taught grades 4 and 5 at St. Joseph School in Joliet, and from 1964 to 1973 Sister ministered as both 7th and 8th grade teacher and principal of St. Joseph School in Manhattan, IL. After teaching 30 years at various schools in the inner city of Chicago, Sister’s dream of working in one of the poor areas of the United States took her to Selma, Alabama. Here she ministered in the Edmundite Missions for 13 years as Director of Catholic Social Ministry. She was able to do remarkable things with the little she had; helping to provide food, clothing and shelter to those in need.  

In 2016, Sister Margaret Alice returned to Joliet and ministered as a volunteer at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home.  Here she continued to serve by brightening the lives of the residents there; visiting them, listening to them and praying with them.

The wake for Sister Margaret  will be at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, 1201 Wyoming Avenue, Joliet, IL, (Wyoming and Rt. 30) on Friday, April 20, 2018 from 2:00 – 6:45 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 4:45 p.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 7:00 p.m.  The Funeral Procession will leave from Our Lady of Angels on Saturday morning, April 21, 2018, at 8:30 a.m.  The Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, IL.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL  60435.

Fred C. Dames Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.  For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com

Friday
20
April

Visitation

2:00 pm - 6:45 pm
Friday, April 20, 2018
Our Lady of Angels
1201 Wyoming Avenue
Joliet, Illinois, United States
A Prayer Service will be held at 4:00 p.m.
Friday
20
April

Mass of Christian Burial

7:00 pm
Friday, April 20, 2018
Our Lady of Angels
1201 Wyoming Avenue
Joliet, Illinois, United States
Saturday
21
April

Interment

9:15 am
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville
Rt. 53 and W. 135th Street
Romeoville, Illinois, United States
The Funeral Procession will leave from Our Lady of Angels on Saturday morning, April 21, 2018, at 8:30 a.m.

Memorial Contributions

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL 60435.