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Plotkowski -- Sister Mary Celestine Plotkowski, 1905-2002."The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them..they are in peace..". Wisdom The soul of Sister Mary Celestine Plotkowski journeyed to its eternal peace on Thursday, May 30, 2002 while her sisters prayed at her bedside at the provincial house in Rio Rancho, NM. Baptized Cecilia, she was born to Anthony and Lousie Malkiewicz) Plotkowski on November 10, 1905, the fourth of six children. She lost her mother at the tender age of sixteen and a year later, on June 27, 1923, entered the Felician Sisters Convent in Milwaukee, WI. Sister Celestine graduated from High School in 1929, and spent the first nine years of ministry teaching grade school children in the Chicago area. The teaching ministry found her instructing multiple grades, concluding with grades 1,2,3, and 4 in her final two years. One of the original sisters of the Chicago province, chosen to enter nurses training, she received her RN diploma from St. Anthony of Padua Hospital, in 1937. In 1939 she received her bachelor of Science degree from DePaul University in Chicago and assumed the position of the local superior, hospital administrator of the St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia, IL, as well as full time nursing duties. From 1945 to 1950 she served as the provincial house infirmary administrator in Chicago. Mid-1950 found her in Corning, Iowa making preparations for the opening of Rosary Hospital, where she served as the first administrator of that new facility from 1951 to 1953. In 1953, when the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province was formed and established in Ponca City, OK, Sister Celestine served as one of the first council members as well as infirmarian, director of aspirants and high school teacher. 1959 found sister back in hospital ministry in Okarche, OK. From 1962 to 1965 she served at Yorktown Memorial Hospital as RN, and at the end of that term returned to Corning, IA as administrator, superior and RN until 1971 when she once again returned to serve in Yorktown, TX. 1980 was sisters' final move in a long chain of ministry. Sister Celestine became the administrator of the infirmary in Rio Rancho, NM, at the provincial house. She held this position for two years and until her retirement from nursing in 1988, she continued in this ministry. For the remainder of her years, sister was engaged in household tasks and in prayer ministry. Sister Celestine was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Edward and Casmir and sisters, Vanda Eicharst, Albina Lewandowski, and Anna Pietras. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews in Illinois. Sister had a special place in her heart for nephews, Rev. Jerome Plotkowski who ministers in Albuquerque, and who was a faithful weekly visitor until her death, and Rev. Jack Plotkowski from Chicago. Wake services will be held at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary provincial house, 4210 Meadowlark Ln., Rio Rancho, on Monday, June 3, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at the provincial house on Tuesday, June 4, 2002 at 9:30 a.m. followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Sister Celestine will long be remembered for her kindness to all she encountered and helped along life's way. Her smile was always radiant and reflected the light within. Sister always had a special place in her heart for priests and her prayer for them was frequent. May the gift of peace surround her and our world. Arrangements by Vista Verde Mortuary, Rio Rancho, 892-9920.
        Published on: Tue June 04, 2002