Sr. Elizabeth Ann Marie, Kathleen (Nichol) Schilling, lived an active and fruitful life serving the Lord as wife, mother, and religious. At age 69, and a religious for 28 years, she entered eternal life May 25 at Angela Hospice, Livonia.

Born July 31, 1945, Kathleen was the last of five children of Alva Charles Nichol and Lila Elizabeth (Welton). Tragically, her mother died the next day. With concern for a new baby and four other siblings, Alva remarried and Kathleen was raised by her step-mother, Cora Elizabeth (Porter). The couple had five more children.

Kathleen married Bernard Schilling, and the couple had two sons, Brian and Troy. Bernard’s sister, Sr. Rose Margaret Schilling, SC, was influential in Kathleen’s conversion and eventual entrance into religious life. She was received into Queens Catholic Church in Jackson on April 3, 1979.

Kathleen was admitted to the postulancy of the Felician Sisters in 1986, and in 1987 received the name Sr. Elizabeth Ann Marie. First profession was Aug. 15, 1989, and final profession Aug. 15, 1994.

Sr. Schilling earned degrees from Madonna University and served St. Christine Parish in Detroit, and later became administrator/CEO of Marywood Nursing Care Center and Marybrook Manor from 1996-2007.

Sr. Schilling was later admitted as a student in the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) program in San Antonio, Texas, and assigned to Holy Redeemer Parish in Detroit, where she worked for two years.

She is survived by her sons, Brian (Denise), and Troy (Heather); six grandchildren; sisters Nancy and Patti and brothers James, Gary and William.

Mass of Christian burial was May 29 at the chapel of the Felician Sisters’ convent in Livonia. Burial is in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.