September 3, 1928 — June 23, 2024
Sister Mary Ruth, Rose Elizabeth Koralewski of Wyandotte, MI, age 95, religious 78 years, entered eternal life on June 23, 2024, at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent, Livonia, Michigan.
Born on September 3,1928 and baptized and confirmed at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Wyandotte, MI, Rose was the youngest of five children born to Ladislaus and Frances (Gontarek): Felicia (Phyllis), Ladislaus (Walter), Leo, Josephine and Rose.
On June 28, 1946, inspired by her love of the Felician Sisters who taught her in both grade school and high school, Rose Elizabeth entered the Postulancy. It was an event that was sadly, and tearfully accepted by her father and mother. However, on Rose’s birthday, September 3rd, during her parents’ first visit to the convent and witnessing her joy, they were convinced that she was in the right place. And the rest is history!
On August 12, 1947, Rose was invested into the Felician Community and received the name Sister Mary Ruth. On August 12, 1954, she made her final vows.
Sister Mary Ruth earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Madonna (College) University in Livonia, MI, and a Master of Arts from the University of Detroit. With Michigan State Certification, Sister was well prepared for a ministry of education that expanded over 75 years in grades 2 to 8 throughout the State of Michigan. Schools included Resurrection, Help of Christians, Sacred Heart, Holy Ghost and St. Hilary all in Detroit; St. Florian, Hamtramck; St. Mary, Alpena; St. Stanislaus, Ludington; St. John Vianney and St. Jude, Grand Rapids; St. Therese, Wayland; Catholic Central, Manistee; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Wyandotte; St. Hyacinth, Bay City; Our Lady of Refuge, Orchard Lake; St. Valentine, Redford; St. Michael, Livonia; and St. Thomas the Apostle in Elkhart, Indiana. From 1984 to 2003 Sister Mary Ruth served as principal at St. Michael, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and Our Lady of Refuge.
Sister Mary Ruth was a very competent and creative principal. She was a welcomed visitor to the classroom because she enriched the lives of the students and challenged them. Her proposed annual themes made the school year exciting for both students and teachers. They remember the theme: “Christ be our Light”, when there were lighthouses galore around the school and a life-size one built by one of the student’s fathers.
