SISTER MARGARET MARY , (nee Hedwig Grochowski), the final member of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit in Garfield Heights, died Sunday, November 7 strengthened by the prayers of her loving family and the Jennings community.

Sister Margaret Mary was born to Alexander and Alexandra Grochowski on January 29, 1926.  Raised in Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Spirit on June 10, 1941 at age 15 when the Sisters were living in two duplex houses at 123 ^rd and Corlett Avenue.  She fondly remembered the move to the new Motherhouse in Garfield Heights in January 1942. Sister Margaret Mary was received into the Novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit on August 30, 1942 and was assigned to do domestic work at the newly opened Jennings Hall.  She professed final vows on Sept. 6, 1947.

She graduated from Marymount School of Practical Nursing in 1956 and also completed the training program for activities coordinators in 1976. Sister Margaret Mary became the first Director of Nursing for Jennings in the 1950s when it added its "Infirmary Wing." She subsequently held roles as the Director of Restorative Care and Life Enrichment Coordinator until her retirement in the mid-1990s. She modeled high standards for both clinical practice and compassion.

Always wanting to remain active, she volunteered full time after retirement with Jennings residents who were living with Alzheimer's disease.  Her motto was "If you don't use it, you lose it," and it was often heard by her family members as well as those at Jennings whom she encouraged to participate in exercise and various activities. In addition to professional roles at Jennings, Sister Margaret Mary served in many administrative roles in her religious community. She was also a member of Jennings' Board of Directors, ultimately becoming an Honorary Life Member.

Sister Margaret Mary had a youthful spirit and zest for life, and she will be remembered for her great joy. She was creative and multi-talented, having accomplished exquisite needlework and painting. Staff at Jennings remember her as highly competitive when she bowled with them on the Jennings League at Cloverleaf Lanes.  She remained active at Jennings even as her diminished eyesight and hearing slowed her down in the last months of her life, where she was lovingly supported by the staff at Jennings in Garfield Heights and Jennings Hospice.

Sister's family remembers her as dedicated to them and always an example of prayer.  She loved her many nieces and nephews and took even greater pleasure in their children.  She loved travel and especially enjoyed her trips to Poland and the Holy Land.  Her collection of ceramic turtles from all over the world will be shared with family and friends.

Sister Margaret Mary is survived by one living sister, Anna Varndell (Richard) and many adoring nieces and nephews and their children.  She was preceded in death by the following siblings:  Helen Stokes (Harry), Zygmond, Alex (Violet), John, Sophie Cummings (Carlyle), Jenny Kontos, and Irene Welch (Thomas).

Friends may call at LATEK & RYBICKI, A GOLDEN RULE FUNERAL HOME, 4640 TURNEY RD., for VISITING HOURS: THURSDAY 3-6 PM . Family and friends are asked to meet Friday, November 12, at 1:45 PM, at Holy Spirit Chapel at Jennings, 10204 Granger Rd., Garfield Heights, for a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Most Rev. Edward Malesic. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Masks are requested at visitation and required at the funeral. It will be available by livestream at www.jenningsohio.org/funeral.

Donations in memory of Sister Margaret Mary may be made to Jennings at www.jenningsohio.org or 10204 Granger Road, Garfield Heights, Ohio 44125.