Sr. Mariella (Rose) Chrusciel, CSSF, of Grand Rapids, age 87, religious 70 years, entered eternal life Sept. 16 in Livonia.

Sr. Mariella Chrusciel, formerly Rose Chrusciel, was born in Grand Rapids on Oct. 31, 1925, and baptized eight days later at St. Adalbert’s Church in Grand Rapids. She was sixth of 10 children of Michael and Sophia (Furgal). Rose had five sisters — Anna Fifelski, Catherine Catalino, Veronica Wise, Sr. Irene Chrusciel, OP, and Sr. Cecilia Chrusciel, CSSF, and four brothers — Walter, Francis, Thomas and Andrew.

Rose attended the Felician Academy in Detroit and entered the Felician Congregation on June 24, 1943. She was invested with the habit the following year and received the name Sr. Mariella. Sr. Chrusciel pronounced her first public profession of temporary vows on Aug. 13, 1945, and six years later made her public profession of perpetual vows on Aug. 13, 1951.

Sister received a bachelor’s degree from Madonna (College) University, and a master’s degree from the Catholic University of America in preparation for a ministry of education that spanned 58 years. She enrolled in enrichment programs in religious education at St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia and received certification for teaching exceptional children — the visually and the mentally impaired. She was also afforded opportunities to enrich her background in special education through a Kennedy Grant and pursued studies at the University of Washington in Seattle, University of Arizona, Boston College, Cardinal Stritch College, Michigan State University and Wayne State University. At the completion of her studies she presented workshops to special education teachers in the Archdiocese of Detroit at the Child Appraisal Center, and instructed parents of mentally challenged children. From 1961-74, Sr. Chrusciel taught special education in the Archdiocese of Detroit at St. Francis of Assisi School.

In Detroit, Sr. Chrusciel taught at St. Hyacinth, Assumption, St. Andrew, St. Casimir, St. Stephen, St. Christine (principal, 1974-80), and Help of Christians (principal, 1984-87). Other Michigan schools included Our Lady Queen of Apostles, Hamtramck; St. Therese, Wayland; Holy Rosary, Saginaw; Our Lady of the Lake, Prudenville (principal, 1981-84), and St. Dunstan, Garden City (principal, 1987-2005).

In 2005, Sr. Chrusciel was assigned to Marywood Nursing Care Center in Livonia. Friendly and giving from the heart, she ministered to the elderly with compassion and care.

Sr. Chrusciel was assigned to St. Joseph Care Center as a permanent resident in January 2012.

She is survived by a brother, Andrew, and two sisters, Sr. Irene, a Dominican sister and Sr. Cecilia Maria, a Felician.

Mass of Resurrection was Sept. 20 at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Central Convent in Livonia celebrated by Bishop Dale Melczek of Gary, Ind. Fr. Timothy Babcock, chaplain, was the homilist. Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.