Sister Kathleen Ottrock, OSF

1937-2022

Sister Kathleen Ottrock, (formerly Sister M. Philip Neri) died at Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, Ohio on March 23, 2022 after a long illness.  The daughter of Anton and Alice Ottrock came to the convent in Sylvania in 1952 from Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in Detroit, Michigan to begin preparation for becoming a Sister of St. Francis.  She professed her first vows in 1957 and her final vows in 1960.

Sister Kathleen spent her 65 years in religious life as a Sylvania Franciscan in basically two ministries, teaching and Music/Liturgy.  She held a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Social Science from Mary Manse College, in Toledo; a Master’s degree in Theology with a concentration in liturgy from the University of Notre Dame; and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Toledo.  She also held a Music degree from St. Joseph’s College of Church Music in Rensselaer, Indiana.  She had teaching certificates from Ohio, Michigan and Minnesota, the states in which she taught in elementary schools for 35 years.  In 2011 she earned a certificate in Spiritual Direction in Ignatian Spirituality.

Sister Kate ministered in Music and Liturgy in parishes in Ohio and Michigan for over 40 years.  In many of the parishes where she taught school children, she also was the organist, music director and/or liturgist.  She often said that her greatest love in ministry remained in serving God’s people through music.

She was also involved in three Diocesan Liturgical Commissions in the states in which she served as teacher and/or Music Minister.  She also was a member of the church renovation committees in those states as well as in the renovation of the Chapel at her own Motherhouse in Sylvania.

Sister Kate had many good friends with whom she shared her love of music, appreciation for creation (especially cats), travel in and around the Great Lakes in her home state of Michigan, helping anyone in need of one or another of her skills or talents.  In her community she enjoyed her dear friends Sisters Elaine and Rosalma with whom she shared special life experiences and ministry over the years.  Learning of Sister Kate’s death, Sister Rosalma remarked, “Sister Kate will be missed by her family, friends, and Sisters, but I bet she herself won’t forget us as she celebrates her eternity in God’s heavenly home with the music she loved so much.”  Sister Kate herself requested that in addition to the Franciscan symbol of her community she be buried wearing the “Mizpah” (necklace) which Sister Elaine bought for her in the 1980s.  “May the Lord watch between us.”  Sister Elaine died in 1986 of cancer at age 38.

Sister Kate is survived by her sister Betsy Dangreau (Bud) of Colorado, niece Katy Elias (Jon) of Ohio, cousin Gail Eynon of Michigan, cousin Linda Platz of Michigan, along with many other loving cousins, extended family, and friends. She will also be missed by her Sisters in Community, friends and her caregivers at Rosary Care Center.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel, where the funeral Mass will immediately follow at 4 p.m.  Face masks and social distancing are being requested. Live Streaming of the Funeral Mass is: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/RvdadQRjbGk. Once reaching this website you will be asked for a password. The password is Sisters!!

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, Ohio. Click here to livestream the Funeral Liturgy.