Recent Deaths

Sister Sandra DeGidio
1943–2017

Sister Sandra DeGidio, 74, died on Dec. 20, 2017, at her home in Oak Creek, Wis. She was born in Cumberland, Wis., on Feb. 12, 1943, to Nick and Jovina (Zappa) DeGidio. She joined the Ladysmith Servite Sisters in 1959 as a high school junior and made her first profession of vows in 1962.

She held a bachelor’s in English from Mount Senario College and a master’s in English from Marquette University. She studied liturgy at the University of Notre Dame and received a certificate in spiritual guidance from Siena Center in Racine.

She authored ten books, two videos, and over 100 articles in various theological, liturgical, and educational publications. Her most recent book, “In God’s Embrace,” is a collection of prayers for health and healing.

She taught courses in family religious education, the sacraments, and liturgy at the University of St. Catherine, St. Paul; Regis College, Denver; St. Norbert College, DePere; Creighton University, Omaha; and Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corners. She also taught in Catholic elementary schools in Hillside, Ill., and Deephaven and Roseville, Minn.

She served as director of family catechesis, adult education, and liturgy at St. Joseph Parish, New Hope, Minn.; pastoral associate and director of religious education at Webster Area Catholic Churches; director of marketing services at Revere Healthcare, Cary, Ill.; and development director at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Rockford.

Sister Sandy served three terms on the Servants of Mary leadership team, with two of those terms as president. She also served as the order’s director of communications and development and chair of its ministry fund.

She is survived by her sister Florann (Bill) Phillips of Alamogordo, N.M., nephews Peter (Tari) Phillips of Alamogordo, N.M., Marc (Jennifer) Phillips of Asunción, Paraguay, and Joel (Kelly) Phillips of Orlando, Fla., and the Servite Sisters, with whom she shared life for 58 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Father Scott Wallenfelsz, SDS, presided at a Mass of Christian Burial on Dec. 27 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Ladysmith, with burial in the convent cemetery.

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