Sr. Virgianne Wantuch, SSJ-TOSF, passed away Dec. 3, 2016.

Celine Monica Bernice Wantuch was born Nov. 21, 1930, the youngest of 10 girls, and was invested as a novice into the Sisters of St. Joseph, Third Order of St. Francis on Aug. 10, 1948. She took her final vows on Aug. 10, 1955.

Sr. Wantuch earned her education degree from St. John’s College in Cleveland while also teaching at Corpus Christi, Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Monica schools. She also taught for two years in Meriden, Conn.

After moving to Detroit, she completed a master’s degree from the University of Detroit. Her Michigan assignments included St. Thomas the Apostle, Immaculate Conception in Milan, Our Lady of Fatima in Oak Park (for nine years). She taught migrant workers in Lake Leelanau, Regina High School in Warren (four years), St. Gregory (10 years), St. Thomas Aquinas (10 years), and Our Lady of Grace in Dearborn Heights (13 years).

A funeral Mass was celebrated Dec. 9, 2016, at Our Lady of Grace. Interment is in St. Hedwig Cemetery in Detroit.