Sister of St. Francis Valerie Jarzembowski dies at 89

A funeral Mass for Sister of St. Francis of Assisi Valerie Jarzembowski (formerly Sister Raymond) was offered May 8 at her religious community’s motherhouse in Wisconsin. Sister Valerie died April 29. She was 89.

Born in Queens, N.Y., she professed vows as a Sister of St. Mary’s Abbey, Mill Hill Abbey, England (later the Franciscan Sisters of Baltimore) in 1957. The Franciscan Sisters of Baltimore merged with the Milwaukee-based Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi in 2001.

In Baltimore, Sister Valerie ministered at St. Elizabeth School as a special education teacher, administrator and financial assistant (1972-74, 1994-99, 2002-12) and at St. Francis School as a special education teacher and administrator (1976-89, 1992-93). She and Sister of St. Francis of Assisi Mildred Rothwell, worked with Catholic Charities of Baltimore to start Chara House, a program that cared for babies with AIDS (1989-92).

She received her bachelor’s degree in education from what is now Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore and a master’s degree in education (special education) from what is now Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. She also held a master’s degree in administration/supervision from Loyola University Maryland.

Elsewhere, Sister Valerie ministered in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Massachusetts.

More obituaries

A life well-coached: Lou Holtz remembered for faith, family and football

Father Norvel, first Black superior general for U.S. men’s religious community, dies at 90

Deacon Stretmater, father of 11 who ministered at Howard County parish, dies at 101

Beloved Notre Dame coaching legend Lou Holtz remembered for ‘building men, not just players’

Prolific catechist Paul Thigpen, who mused on extraterrestrial life, dies at 71

Jesuit Father Anthony Berret, distinguished English professor, dies at 86

Copyright © 2025 Catholic Review Media

 Print