Obituary of Sr. M. Dorothy Clare Zuleski, OSF
Sister M. Dorothy Clare Zuleski, OSF (1928 – 2021) died at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, Joliet, Illinois, on June 14, 2021. Sister Dorothy Clare, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, was the daughter of the late Elizabeth and Willard Zuleski. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Clarence, and her sister, Dorothy Webster. Sister Dorothy Clare was a treasured member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate for 70 years.
Sister Dorothy Clare, a member of St. Procop Parish in Cleveland, graduated from the Parish grade and high school. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History from Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio and took further courses in library science and education at the College of St. Francis (now University of St. Francis), in Joliet, Illinois. She also took courses in Religious Studies at the Seraphic Institute at the College of St. Francis. She acquired a Master of Arts in Library Science from Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, and completed Clinical Pastoral Education courses and certification as a chaplain from MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, Illinois.
Sister Dorothy Clare began her ministry as a Joliet Franciscan in the field of education, serving as a teacher at the elementary, secondary and collegiate levels in Ohio, Illinois and Florida. She taught English and was Assistant Librarian at St. Francis Academy, (Joliet Catholic Academy) from 1960 – 1962. She taught library science courses and was assistant librarian at the College of St. Francis from 1962 – 1968. After her teaching career, she became a certified hospital chaplain and served at St. Joseph Medical Center (now AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center) in Joliet, Illinois from 1986 – 2001. In 2001, she became a member of the St. Clare House of Prayer, in Kankakee, Illinois (now located in Joliet, Illinois.)
In 2016, Sister Dorothy Clare moved into Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home where she served through a ministry of presence, community service and prayer.
Due to the restrictions of the COVID virus, there will be no wake for Sister Dorothy Clare. She will be interred in the Congregation’s plot at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, IL. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated for Sister Dorothy Clare at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home in Joliet at a future date.
Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL 60435.
Fred C. Dames Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
