June 18, 1930 — December 9, 2023
Ruth Ann Midura was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, on June 18, 1930, to Ladislaus Midura and Regina Kowalska Midura, the middle child of an older brother and younger sister. Shortly after her birth, she was baptized in Saint Stephen’s Church on June 29.
Ruth Ann’s family enjoyed a happy, religious home, made so by God-fearing, caring parents. Her parents enrolled the children in Saint Stephen’s School, staffed by the Felician Sisters, whom Ruth Ann especially loved and admired.
In Ruth Ann’s heart grew a strong desire to be a Sister like her teachers. After her eighth-grade graduation, she applied for admission to the aspirancy of the Felician Sisters. She would continue schooling there at Immaculate Conception High School, Lodi, New Jersey. After graduating in 1948, she was accepted into the postulancy of the Felician Sisters. A year later, she was invested in the Felician Franciscan habit and given the religious name Sister Mary Angelis.
Sister Mary Angelis made her first profession of vows on August 6, 1950, and her final profession on August 6, 1956. She later received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, and a Master’s in General Professional Education from the same university. She fulfilled the requirements for a teaching certification from the State of New Jersey.
Sister Angelis taught for 31 years in Felician Schools in grades 2 to 8 in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. For three of those years, 1967-1970, she served in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she and the sisters brought assistance, comfort, and hope to the slum-dwellers and lepers on weekends.
In the United States, her favorite assignment was the First Communion class, where she could help the little ones prepare their hearts for Jesus. She was deeply in love with her Spouse, with whom she spent an hour daily in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.
From 1980 to 1983, she resided at the House of Prayer in Washington, NJ, giving full bent to her contemplative spirit. After her ministry at the Holy House, she was assigned to Our Lady of Grace Home, Newark, Delaware. There, she served as a chauffeur, performed domestic chores, and selflessly cared for the needy children. At all times, her kindness and patience added to the smooth running of the Home.
With ease and adaptability, she moved from the youth to the elderly as she joined the staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary in Lodi, where she ministered as chauffeur, celebration sister, and all-around aide for eight years.
In 1997, she came to the Provincial House in Lodi and worked at various tasks as assistant sacristan, chauffeur, and food service. Her heart and hands were always ready for any needed service. Forgetful of self, she always had time to do countless favors for the sisters.
With a powerful tendency to philosophize, she could engage a sister for an hour, deliberating over an answer to a simple question. With a healthy dose of humor, she overcame many obstacles throughout her life.
On December 7, 2023, Sister Angelis sustained a difficult fall as she attempted to get her evening meal at the serving table in the convent dining room. She was taken to Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, New Jersey. At 2:00 a.m. on December 9, 2023, she was called by her loving God to come home. She was 93 years old and had been a religious for 75 years.
The wake for Sister Angelis took place on December 13, 2023, in Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, Lodi, New Jersey. The Funeral Mass for Sister was held on December 14, 2023. The presider and homilist was the Rev. John O’Neill, I.V.Dei, a professor at Felician University. Internment followed in the Felician Sisters’ cemetery in Lodi, NJ.
