October 23, 1929 – April 6, 2022
Sister Mary Lorraine Wagner, 92 years old, was called to eternal life on April 6, 2022, at SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, WI.
Sister Mary Lorraine, born on October 23, 1929, in Braddock, PA, was given the name Kathryn Elizabeth. Her parents were John and Kathryn (Lynch) Wagner. She was the third of six children, three brothers (John, Thomas, and Earl) and two sisters (Dorothy and Geraldine).
Kathryn was working at St. Clare Hospital, Denville, NJ prior to entering another congregation when she met Sr. M. Sigismunda who she came to admire resulting her entrance into the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother in Denville, NJ on February 2, 1962 receiving the name Sister Mary Lorraine. She professed her first vows on August 12, 1964 and celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1989 in Denville, NJ and her Golden Jubilee on August 10, 2014, in Oshkosh, WI.
As a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother, Sister Mary Lorraine served as kitchen supervisor at Mater Dolorosa Prep School from 1965-1972 and then for a year at St. Clare Hospital, Denville, NJ. From 1973-1986, she worked as a nurse aide at Dover Christian Nursing Home in New Jersey. Sister attended the Morris County Vocational School in New Jersey and received her Practical Nursing License in 1986. Sister ministered to the sisters as a licensed practical nurse at the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother Retirement Center, Denville, NJ from 1986-1998. She wrote, “Best years of my life.” She retired to SSM Franciscan Courts on November 1, 1997.
Sister Mary Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings. She is survived by nieces and nephews.
Homecoming was at 4:00 p.m. at SSM Franciscan Courts on Monday, April 11, 2022. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, WI with Rev. William Hower officiating. Burial take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Oshkosh, WI.
May she rest in the presence of the Risen Christ.
Submitted by Sr. Sherri Marie Kuhn