Sister Josephine Paolinelli died on Nov. 17, 2020, at Amita Alexian Brothers Hospice in Elk Grove Village, IL. She was born on Nov. 1, 1936 in Chicago, IL, to Joseph and Louise Venditti Paolinelli, and was baptized Josephine Marie.

Sister Josephine entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on Feb. 2, 1956 and received the name Sister Louise Joseph. She professed Final Vows on Aug. 15, 1963.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Of her 64 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education for ten years in Indiana and Illinois. In 1970, she left teaching, but not education, serving as a business officer for multiple schools as well as parishes in Illinois and giving nine years as the provincial treasurer of St. Joseph (Chicago) Province. Retiring in 2007, she remained in the Chicago area where she first cared for her mother and then ministered as a hospital volunteer.

Sr. Josephine had an extravagant love for living. Her life might be summarized in the exhortation she wrote for her memorial card, “Don’t let any grass grow under your feet and enjoy life while you can.”

She is survived by a cousin, Pricilla Hagglund.

Following a funeral in St. Giles Church in Oak Park, the body will be brought to the Motherhouse for a private funeral service and burial in the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence on Nov. 23. The Belmont Funeral Home in Chicago assisted with arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876-1007. One may share or read memories of Sr. Josephine on the Sister of Providence web page at: www.spsmw.org/category/obituaries

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