Czolgosz, OP, Sister Geraldine (formerly known as Sister Mary
Hyacinth) of Grand Rapids (born in Saginaw, MI) died on February 17,
2018. She was 91 years old and a Dominican Sister for 64 years.
Sr. Geraldine earned a BA in History and Certificate in Religious
Education from Aquinas College, and an MA in Reading from Western
Michigan University.
Sister Geraldine served as a teacher in the early grades at St. Alphonsus,
Grand Rapids; St. Mary, Gaylord; St. Michael, Maple Grove; St. Anne,
Alpena; Holy Family, North Dorr; Sacred Heart, Saginaw; St. Michael,
Pinconning; SS. Peter and Paul, Saginaw; St. Basil, South Haven; and St.
Joseph the Worker, Beal City.
After retiring from teaching, Sr. Geraldine served as school secretary at
St. Andrew School, Grand Rapids. She later worked in the finance office
and human resources at Marywood, served as a tutor in the WORD – ESL
program, and as bursar and receptionist at Marywood Health Center.
In her memoirs, she wrote: “Most important in my Dominican vocation is
the sharing of prayer, work, and daily living – the close bonding in loving,
understanding, helping, and supporting each other.” Sister Geraldine will
be remembered as a strong, yet quiet person who loved life and was ever
faithful to God and her call to religious life.
Sister Geraldine is survived by her sisters: Agnes (Richard) Brown of Sun
City West, AZ and Ruth (Dennis) Dobleske of New Hope, PA; nieces,
nephews, many friends, and members of her Dominican Sisters ~ Grand
Rapids Community.
Sister Geraldine will repose at Dominican Chapel/Marywood, 2025
Fulton Street East, with visitation on Monday, February 19 from
4:00-7:00 pm, followed by a Remembering Service at 7:00 pm. A Funeral
Mass will be celebrated at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, February 20 at
Dominican Chapel/Marywood. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorials in Sister Geraldine Czolgosz’s name may be made to the
Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters Health Care Fund.