Obituary of Sister Irene Yosick, OSF
Joliet Franciscan Sister Irene (Emmanuel)Yosick died peacefully on October 28, 2024, at St. Patrick’s Residence, Naperville, Illinois. She was a cherished member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate for 78 years. Sister Irene was a dedicated educator, administrator, and a devoted companion to the elderly. Born in Shelby, Ohio, on December 11, 1929, Sister Irene was one of ten children. She was preceded in death by her parents Lillian (Soldan) and Frank J. Yosick, her brothers: Paul (Rosanna) Yosick, Robert (Ramona) Yosick, John (Aline) Yosick, Kenneth (Sue)Yosick, Dennis Yosick, Thomas Yosick; her sisters, Patricia Lysinger and Sister Martha Ann Yosick, who was also a member of the Joliet Franciscans; her brother-in-law Thomas Courtney. She is survived by her sister Joan Courtney (Grove City, Ohio); and her sisters-in-law Emilia Yosick (Northbrook, Illinois) and Doris Yosick (Hanover, Pennsylvania). She was the proud aunt of over 100 nieces, grand-nieces and grand-nephews who will miss her deeply and remember her fondly.
Sister Irene attended St. Mary’s Grade School in Shelby, Ohio and then came to Joliet to attend St. Francis Academy from where (1946) she graduated. She earned her BA, cum Laude, (1959) from the College of St. Francis and then pursued her MA in Education (1966) from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana. Sister Irene began her career in the field of education. She taught in Chicago, Joliet, Lansing and Elgin, Illinois. She especially enjoyed teaching math before becoming principal at St. Mary Magdalene (1963-1966) Columbus, Ohio, Sts Peter and Paul (1966-1968) Chicago, Illinois, St. Michael (1968-1969) Worthington, Ohio and St. Peter Grade School (1969-1973) Mansfield, Ohio.
When her parents became ill (1976 -1996) and needed around-the-clock care, Sister Irene gave them her whole-hearted attention. Moved by this experience, she began to minister as a home companion to the elderly (1997-2018) through Community Services in Shelby, Ohio. She helped elderly friends in their daily physical needs, provided for their spiritual needs, and visited with those who were shut-in, hospital patients, and those in local nursing homes. She partnered with the Red Cross to donate over 100 pints of blood to support those experiencing major health emergencies. Sister Irene received many awards for her dedication but the one that meant the most to her was received from Shelby Home and Public Health, Inc. as Caregiver of the Year (2004) it read: Your love, courage and perseverance make home care the center of health in America. In her retirement, Sister Irene continued her joyful presence at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home (2018-2023) Joliet, Illinois, where her hands were used as the model for the St. Francis mosaic outside the chapel and Heritage Woods (2023-2024) Minooka, Illinois, where she resided until her move to St. Patrick’s Residence, Naperville, Illinois.
Visitation for Sister Irene Yosick will be held at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 North Hickory Street, Wednesday, November 6, 2024, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Shared memories will take place immediately following the Mass in the Church. All are invited to attend. Interment will take place privately at Resurrection Cemetery, 200 W. Romeo Rd. Romeoville, IL 60446, on a later date.
If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Irene Yosick or another Joliet Franciscan Sister, please send your memorial to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL 60435.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com.
