Sr. Mary Ruth (Rose Elizabeth) Koralewski, CSSF, of Wyandotte, 95, religious 78 years, entered eternal life on June 23, 2024, at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent, Livonia, Michigan.
Born on Sept. 3, 1928, and baptized and confirmed at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Wyandotte, MI, Rose was the youngest of five children born to Ladislaus and Frances (Gontarek): Felicia (Phyllis), Ladislaus (Walter), Leo, Josephine, and Rose.
On June 28, 1946, inspired by her love of the Felician Sisters who taught her in both grade school and high school, Rose Elizabeth entered the Postulancy.
Rose was invested into the Felician Community on Aug. 12, 1947, and received the name Sister Mary Ruth. On Aug. 12, 1954, she made her final vows.
Sister Mary Ruth earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Madonna (College) University in Livonia, MI, and a Master of Arts from the University of Detroit. With Michigan State Certification, Sister was well prepared for a ministry of education that expanded over 75 years in grades 2 to 8 throughout the State of Michigan. Schools included Resurrection, Help of Christians, Sacred Heart, Holy Ghost, St. Hilary all in Detroit; St. Florian, Hamtramck; St. Mary, Alpena; St. Stanislaus, Ludington; St. John Vianney and St. Jude, Grand Rapids; St. Therese, Wayland; Catholic Central, Manistee; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Wyandotte; St. Hyacinth, Bay City; Our Lady of Refuge, Orchard Lake; St. Valentine, Redford; St. Michael, Livonia; and St. Thomas the Apostle in Elkhart, Indiana. From 1984 to 2003, Sister Mary Ruth served as principal at St. Michael, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and Our Lady of Refuge.
Sister Mary Ruth was a very competent and creative principal and a welcomed visitor to the classroom because she enriched the students' lives and challenged them. Her proposed annual themes made the school year exciting for both students and teachers. They remember the theme: “Christ be our Light,” when there were lighthouses galore around the school, including a life-size one built by one of the students' fathers.
Retiring from the field of education, Sister Mary Ruth was assigned to Ladywood High School and Maryville Retreat Center. From 2005-2009, she served in Presentation Convent, Livonia, as sacristan of Holy Family Chapel. Sister Mary Ruth applied her talent for decorating, and on every holiday or festive occasion, the convent hallways, stairways, dining room, and even the elevators always came alive with color and her creativity.
Sister was very good on the computer. Over several years, she designed a newsletter entitled “THE JOTTINGS”, an in-house missive with clip art and stories about the sisters they would enjoy.
In her retirement, Sister Mary Ruth with other retired sisters kept their minds sharp. One of sister’s former students, Anthony Pattah, who had his own aspirations to become a teacher, became their World History Professor. Through serious reading, discussions and videos the sisters who were all educators continued their love of education.
Despite suffering with profound deafness for many years, Sister Ruth participated in common prayer, as well as many community activities. Her focal point, however, was the Eucharist and she would spend time in chapel praying before the Blessed Sacrament for the needs of family, friends, Church and the world.
On Sunday morning, June 23, Sister Mary Ruth peacefully breathed her last and journeyed to meet the Lord she so faithfully served. Sister Joyce Marie Van de Vyver, local minister, and SM Juanita Szymanski, vicar, recited the vows and prayers for her departed soul.
Sister Mary Ruth is survived by nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. May she rest in peace.
Morning Praise began at 10:30 a.m. on June 28, 2024, in the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel of the Felician Sisters’ Central Convent in Livonia, Michigan. Very Reverend Canon Walter Ptak was the main celebrant for the Mass of Resurrection at 11:00 a.m., joined by priests of the Senior Clergy Village. Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Michigan.
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
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