My Little Drummer Boys
December 23, 2016Preserving our heritage
December 30, 2016Sister M. Alonzo Gozdowski, OSF
1923-2016
Welcoming
6 p.m., Tuesday, December 27
Queen of Peace Chapel
Visitation until 8 p.m.
Funeral
4 p.m., Wednesday, December 28
Queen of Peace Chapel
Visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral Mass.
Sister M. Alonzo Gozdowski died on December 22, 2016 at Rosary Care Center where she had been a resident since 2007. Sister Alonzo, the daughter of Frank and Theresa Gozdowski, came to the convent from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Holland, Ohio in 1947. She made her first profession of religious vows in 1949 and her final vows in 1952. Her 68 years in religious life is best described by her in a brief autobiography written for her Diamond Jubilee in 2009.
“Before I came to the convent, I worked for Jeep in Toledo where my father and brother also worked. I loved doing office work, keeping records, and typing. Little did I know that when God called me to serve him as a Sister of St. Francis, I would continue to do the work I enjoyed so much. I did teach elementary school for a while, but I finally did get to teach business classes in high schools in Ohio and Michigan. My students remember me for my meticulous requirements especially in typing and shorthand. Because of my stature, as I walked down the hall, the students would ask, “Where is she now?” and I’d answer, “I’m right here!” so they could at least hear me if they could not see me. Despite my short stature, I maintained excellent discipline in my classroom, sometimes dealing with football and basketball players who towered over me. ‘Small but mighty,’ was my motto.”
Sister Alonzo was well prepared for her ministry with a B.A. and a M.A. in Education from the University of Detroit in Detroit, Michigan. She taught in elementary schools and high schools in Ohio and Michigan. She also served as secretary at Cardinal Stritch High School in Oregon, Ohio and at Lourdes College in Sylvania, Ohio. In her later years Sister Alonzo took Sisters to doctor appointments from Rosary Care Center and did volunteer work and activities at Providence Care Center in Sandusky, Ohio. Her final years were spent in Third Age Prayer Ministry at Rosary Care Center.
Through her joyful spirit, she wove a deep relationship with all she met: Sisters in community, loving nieces and nephews, and the staff and residents of Rosary Care Center. We will miss the artistic, tiny bouquets she created out of flowers, twigs and leaves while walking the campus gardens. Sister Alonzo will be missed by all of us.