Sr. Mary Francesca Walicki, CSSF, Evelyn Walicki, of Jackson, Michigan completed her life’s journey of 93 years on Thursday, May 23, 2019 in St. Joseph Convent, Livonia, Michigan at 6:10 p.m. Sister was 74 years in religious life.

The former Evelyn Walicki, was born into a loving family on February 25, 1926, the 5th of 7 children of Frank and Helen (Walkowicz): Lillian+, Leonard+, Sylvester+, Zygmond+, Evelyn (Francesca), Mary+ and Theresa+.Baptized and confirmed at St. Stanislaus Church in Jackson, MI.  Evelyn attended St. Stanislaus Elementary School and in 1941 and graduated from the Seminary of the Felician Sisters in Detroit, MI in 1945. 

A few weeks after graduation, Evelyn was admitted to the postulancy of the Felician Sisters on June 29, 1945.  During the investiture ceremonies the following year she received the name, Sister Mary Francesca.  First profession of vows was in 1947 and final profession in 1953.

Sister Francesca earned a Baccalaureate degree from Madonna (College) University and received a Master’s Degree from the College of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill.

On a journey that spanned 38 years in the ministry of education, Sister taught at: St. Stephen, St. Stanislaus, St. Valentine, St. Hyacinth, Detroit; St. Florian, Hamtramck; St. Hyacinth and St. Stanislaus, Bay City; Holy Family, South Bend; St. Cecilia, Clare; St. Michael, Livonia; St. Leonard, Warren; St. Stephen, New Boston; St. Joseph, Manistee; St. Mel, Dearborn Heights and St. Thecla, Mt. Clemens

Sister also held the position of principal at St. Hyacinth, Bay City; St. Florian, Hamtramck; and St. Hyacinth, Detroit.  Beginning in 1986, Sister Mary Francesca began her ministry of a Pastoral Minister in the following parishes:  St. Adalbert, South Bend; St. Christine, Detroit; St. Thecla, Mt. Clemens; and St. Stanislaus, Jackson.  Sister was also administrator at St. Joseph Home in Jackson.

Sister retired to St. Joseph Convent in 2008 and became a prayer minister.

Placed in Hospice Care, her life peacefully ebbed away. At 6:10 p.m., on May 23, 2019, Sister Mary Francesca slipped into the Lord’s embrace and journeyed to eternity.

Morning Praise began at 10:30 a.m. on May 28, 2019. Fr. Thomas Puzio celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. in the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel of the Felician Sisters’ Central Convent in Livonia, Michigan.  Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Michigan.