Sr. Mary Jerome Kurczewski completed her life’s journey Sept 22. She was 100 and 81 years into her religious life.

Helen Kurczewski, the youngest of seven children of Anthony and Mary Ann Wachowiak, was born in Detroit on Nov. 26, 1911. She was baptized on Dec. 3, 1911, in St. Stanislaus Church, Detroit, and later confirmed on June 5, 1923. She attended St. Stanislaus Elementary School and the Seminary of the Felician Sisters, Detroit. After graduation, Helen entered the postulancy of the Felician Sisters on June 19, 1931. She professed final vows on Aug. 15, 1940.

Sr. Kurczewski comes from a line of 17 religious sisters. Four of her aunts entered the Felician Congregation in Detroit and later transferred to the Chicago Province: Sr. Mary Veronica Kurczewski, who was the first provincial superior in the Chicago Province; Sr. Mary Bronislawa; Sr. Mary Alkantra; and Sr. Mary Eleonore.

Sr. Mary Jerome’s older sister, Theresa, who was known in Felician religious life as Sr. Mary Gaudentia. Four cousins also joined the Felician Congregation: Srs. Mary Anatolia, Albensia and Angelica, and Sr. Mary Borgia. Sr. Mary Leoncia Bodalski was Sr. Mary Jerome’s sister-in-law. Relatives from other religious congregations include Sr. Mary Margaret Urban, OP; Sr. Mary Konke, OP; and Sr. Mary Turpish, RSM.

Sr. Kurczewski’s 70 years in education began with St. Stanislaus, Bay City; St. Anthony, Toledo; and St. Albertus, Detroit. She earned a baccalaureate degree from Madonna College in 1949 and later enrolled at the Catholic University of America for courses in library science. Sr. was a teacher and librarian at Assumption, St. Ignatius, St. Christine, St. Hyacinth and St. Louis the King, St. Stephen and St. Cunegunda — all in Detroit; St. Michael and St. Genevieve, Livonia; Our Lady of Refuge, Orchard Lake; St. Leonard, Warren; Queen of Apostles and St. Florian, Hamtramck; St. Jude, Grand Rapids; St. Thecla, Mount Clemens; St. Damian, Westland; and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Wyandotte.

From 1986-87, Sr. Kurczewski responded to the gentle call of the Lord to spend the year at Presentation Prayer Center in Jackson. Assigned to the Provincial House in 1999, she assisted in the library until 2010.

After retiring from teaching, Sister Mary Jerome learned the special art of cross-stitching. Several of her art works are displayed in the central convent.

Mass of Resurrection was celebrated Sept. 25. Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.