January 13, 1925 – June 20, 2023
Sister Mary Frances Meyer, age 98, died on June 20, 2023, at SSM Franciscan Courts in Oshkosh, WI.
Sister Mary Frances, born on January 13, 1925, in Eibach, Germany, to Willibald and Viktoria (Holzschuh) Meyer, was named and baptized Franziska. She was one of nine children: eight boys and one girl. Franziska had a twin brother. Four of her brothers died in World War II. Franziska entered the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother in Abenberg, Germany, on October 25, 1948. She professed her vows on August 12, 1951, in Abenberg, Germany and received the name Sister Mary Richilde which she changed to Sister Mary Frances in 1968. Sister came to the United States in 1951 to Milwaukee, WI. Sister Mary Frances celebrated her Silver Jubilee on August 15, 1976, in Milwaukee, WI; her Golden Jubilee on August 19, 2001, her 60th Jubilee on September 18, 2011 and her 70th Jubilee on September 15, 2021, all three in Oshkosh, WI.
Sister Mary Frances ministered in dietary at St. Alphonsus Hospital, Port Washington, WI (1955-1957), St. Francis Hospital, Wichita, KS (1957-1959) and Mother of Sorrows Convent, Milwaukee, WI (1960-1961). She was a first-grade teacher for 30 years in various schools: St. Catherine, Wildwood, PA; St. Joseph, Sharpsburg, PA; Mother of Perpetual Help, Milwaukee, WI; St. Theresa, Eagle, WI; St. Cecilia, Thiensville, WI; St Francis Borgia, Cedarburg, WI and St Albert, Milwaukee, WI. Following her teaching career, Sister Mary Frances fondly ministered to the community’s retired Sisters from 1989-2007 at SSM Franciscan Courts until she was no longer able because of ill health.
Sister will always be known for her thousands of quilts which she lovingly made for the poor and the Craft Fairs for the missions.
Sister M. Frances Meyer’s parents and siblings preceded her in death.
Homecoming was celebrated at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023, at SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, WI. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 24th, at SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh with Fr. William Hower officiating. Burial took place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Oshkosh, WI.
Submitted by Sr. Judith Marie Beck