Sister Josephine Marie (Virginella) Peplinski, 98, a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis for 82 years, died Friday March 10, 2017 at the Portage County Health Care Center in Stevens Point.
Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 15th at St. Joseph Motherhouse Chapel, 1300 Maria Drive. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Dennis Stanchik officiating. Burial will follow in the convent cemetery.
Josephine Peplinski was born Oct. 17, 1918 in Milwaukee, WI to the late Stanley and Genevieve (Grzechowiak) Peplinski. She was received into the novitiate of the community on Aug. 5, 1935, and pronounced perpetual vows on Aug. 4, 1942.
Sister Josephine Marie began her teaching ministry in 1937 in Catholic schools in the Chicago area where she taught at the elementary, secondary and college levels. She earned her B.A. (English) and M.A. (Speech and Drama) from the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC and M.A. (Liberal Studies and Religion) from Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart, Purchase, NY.
From 1960 to 1967 she directed the SSJ-TOSF formation program. She was elected President of the congregation in 1968 and held that office for two terms until 1976. As Congregational Historian from 1977 to 1993, Sister Josephine Marie researched and wrote Volumes 1 and 2 of “A Fitting Response”, the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. She resided at St. Joseph Motherhouse since 1982 and retired from active ministry in 1993.
Survivors include one sister, Sister Barbara Jean, SSJ-TOSF, Stevens Point; one brother, Henry G. Peplinski of Milwaukee; nieces, nephews and the Sisters of St. Joseph –TOSF. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Brother Aloysius, OFM, Brother Herman Joseph. OFM; two sisters, Sister Alphonse, SSJ-TOSF, Sister Bernadette, SSJ-TOSF; and her sister-in-law, Sue Peplinski.
Memorials may be offered to the Sisters of St. Joseph-TOSF. Pisarski Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family and the Sisters of St Joseph-TOSF. Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com
The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis are grateful for the compassionate care given to Sister Josephine Marie by the staffs of the Portage County Health Care Center and Ministry Hospice. God Bless You!