April 18, 1930 – August 12, 2024
Sister M. Cecile Paulik, age 94, was called to eternal life on Monday, August 12, 2024, at Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Sister Mary Cecile, born April 18, 1930, in Oshkosh, WI, was named and baptized Dorothy Anna. She was the oldest of ten children born to Edward and Hedwig (Baszkowski) Paulik, having six brothers and three sisters. Dorothy Anna entered the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother on February 2, 1947, in Milwaukee, WI and professed first vows on August 12, 1949, receiving the name Sister M. Cecile.
As a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother, Sister Cecile served in the following ministries: Teacher at Perpetual Help School, Milwaukee, WI (1949); organist and hospital helper at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Wabasha, MN (1949-1950); Teacher at Madonna of Jerusalem Parish, Sharpsburg, PA (1952-1953); Director of Women aspiring to religious life at Mother of Sorrows Convent, Milwaukee, WI (1965-1966); Teacher at Mater Dolorosa Jr. College, (1966-1968) and Madonna High School, Milwaukee, WI (1968-1971); Teacher at Notre Dame High School, Milwaukee, WI (1971-1972); Chief Accountant at SSM-Management Services, Inc., Milwaukee, WI (1971-1976); Milwaukee Province Treasurer (1974-1984) and SSM International Finance, Inc. Treasurer (1976-1986), Milwaukee, WI; Vice President and Controller at SSM International Finance, Inc., Milwaukee, WI (1986-1987); Local Community Leader of Local Communities in Mequon and Milwaukee, WI (2001-2012); Special Project Coordinator for the U.S. Caribbean Province Administration, Oshkosh, WI (2011-2017). Sister retired to SSM Franciscan Courts in 2018.
Sister Cecile will be remembered for her ministries as a teacher earning her Bachelor of Science degree from Marquette University with a teaching major in English along with a major in mathematics. She went on to earn a Master of Science degree in mathematics and a second BS degree in accounting from Marquette University. She spent almost twenty years in education, ministering mainly at the two convent schools of Mother of Sorrows High School and Mater Dolorosa Junior College, focusing on Mathematics and English. After earning another degree in Accounting from Marquette University in 1974, she ministered in accounting for the Congregation and served as Treasurer/Controller for the Milwaukee Province and SSM International Finance, Inc. in Milwaukee.
In 2011, she moved to Oshkosh, where she began serving in the Regional Administration Office as Coordinator of Special Projects. Through the years, Sister Cecile had served in many ways in social justice efforts for the Congregation, including active membership in Seventh Generation Interfaith Coalition for Responsible Investment. Sister retired to SSM Franciscan Courts in 2018.
Some of her hobbies were playing cards once a month with her family, gardening and sharing the produce with the sisters, and baking stollen and lebkuchen for the sisters and others at Christmas. She was well known for her musical abilities on the organ and string instruments.
Sister Cecile was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Elaine Fisher and two brothers, John and Ralph. She is survived by four brothers (Robert, Gerald, Hugo, and Richard) and two sisters (Beatrice Bougie and Elizabeth Morgan). Homecoming was held on August 20, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at SSM Franciscan Courts with Father William Hower officiating. Burial took place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Oshkosh, WI.
Submitted by Sr. Judith Marie Beck