Sr. Mary Lauriana Gruszczynski, CSSF, whose fund-raising work for Madonna University played a major role in the development of the Livonia-based institution, died Feb. 7, at Blessed Mary Angela Convent, Livonia. She was 89 and in her 72nd year of religious life.

Sr. Mary Danatha Suchyta, who was Madonna’s president from 1965-76, said of Sr. Gruszczynski, “She was a blessing to the Felician Sisters over her 72 years of religious life, and a great blessing to Madonna University. Because of her, we are blessed with a multi-million-dollar endowment fund.”

Sr. Gruszczynski was born Dec. 26, 1921, near Gaylord, to Joseph and Josephine (Burzynski) Gruszczynski, and given the name Dorothy Marie. She was baptized in St. Mary Church, Gaylord, and attended King Elementary School and St. Mary High School.

She was accepted into the Felician Congregation on Sept. 7, 1939, and was invested with the Felician habit in 1940 when she received the name Sr. Mary Lauriana.  She professed First Vows in 1941 and made her Final Profession in 1947.

In 1942, she began a ministry of teaching at St. Michael, Livonia. For the next 12 years, she taught the primary and secondary grades at: Holy Rosary, Saginaw; and at St. Hyacinth, St. Casimir and St. Valentine, all in Detroit. 

After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Madonna College (now University) and master’s and doctoral degrees from Fordham University in New York, Sr. Gruszczynski completed her post doctoral studies in teacher education at Teachers College of Columbia University. In 1970, she received an award as one of the outstanding educators of America.  

As a pioneer in the field of higher education, her next 50 years were closely entwined with various administrative positions at Madonna University. From 1957-74 she was a professor in the Education Department. Recognized as a specialist in the teaching of reading, she authored several textbooks and articles in educational journals and periodicals.

She was coordinator of teacher education at Madonna College, served on the Board of Michigan State Language Arts Committee, the Consortium of Catholic Colleges and was a member of the Adult and Continuing Education Advisory Council of the Michigan Department of Education.

Sr. Gruszczynski was asked by Archbishop Adam Maida to serve on the board for an Archdiocesan Board of Catholic Education to assist with the ongoing planning for all the essential components of Catholic education. For 10 years, she also served as the Detroit Archdiocesan Reading Coordinator and worked closely with the superintendent of schools.     

In 1965 she was appointed academic dean of Madonna College under the presidency of Sr. Suchyta, a position she held for 11 years.  She was also instrumental in developing the endowment program and established the first endowed scholarship for students, the Gruszczynski Family Scholarship.

As head of the Advancement Office beginning in 1975, Sr. Gruszczynski was Madonna’s first vice president for planning and development, and in 1990, she was named vice president for institutional advancement. 

She spearheaded projects to raise millions of dollars for Madonna’s academic programs, new facilities and to improve student support services.  Among her successes was $4.1 million raised for the new library. 

Those who lived and ministered with her remember her as a deeply prayerful person. Each day began with Mass and prayer.  She often remarked, “I like to give the Lord all the time I possibly can,” and, “Let’s not forget the Lord. Unless the Lord helps build the day and helps build the house, we can’t go on.”

She was known for sharing her catch of the day and hosting fish frys for the other sisters.   In 2006 Sr. Gruszczynski retired and was assigned to the Felician Sisters’ infirmary. As medical problems worsened, Sister was placed on hospice care in September of 2010.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 10 by Fr. Timothy Babcock in the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel of the Felician Sisters’ Central Convent in Livonia. Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.

Memorials to Madonna University, Advancement Office 1220, 36600 Schoolcraft Road, Livonia 48150-1176.