October 21, 1956 — December 27, 2024
Sister Julianna Francis Marie Vagnozzi, 68, died in her sister Jeannette’s home in Rancho Cucamonga, California, on December 27, 2024, having lived in religious life for 46 years.
Julianne Vagnozzi was born on October 21, 1956, in Steubenville, Ohio, to Joseph and Anna Vagnozzi. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Upland, California. She is survived by her four sisters, Joanne Vagnozzi, Janice Celio, Joyce Vagnozzi, and Jeannette Vagnozzi, nephews John, Mark, and Christopher Celio, and ten great nieces and nephews, who put the sparkle in her eyes.
She attended elementary and middle school with the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Joseph’s in Upland and Pomona Catholic High School in California with the Felician Sisters. She graduated in 1974.
Julianne entered the Felician Sisters’ community in Rio Rancho, NM, and was accepted as a postulant on January 14, 1978. She was invested with the habit on August 4, 1978, and received the name Sister Julianna Frances Marie. She made her First Profession on August 11, 1980, and Final Profession on August 11, 1986.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in Liberal Studies at the California State Polytechnic University in Pomona in 1977 and her Liturgical Studies and Liturgical Music Certificate from Mt. St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles in 1990. She was also a certified teacher in California.
She was an elementary school teacher from 1980-91 in Claremont, Arcadia and Anaheim, California and Midwest City, Oklahoma. From 1991-96 she was Director of Liturgy and Music at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Claremont, California. From 1996-2002 she cared for her sick mother and sister in Upland, California. From 2003-2009 she was Cantor Coordinator at St. Joseph Church in Upland, California. Afterward, she ministered at the Provincial House in Rio Rancho, NM doing various activities: archivist, liturgist, choir, Felician Sisters’ Ladies’ Auxiliary, freelance soloist cantor, tutor, food service supervisor, writer, and speaker. In 2017, she returned to her alma mater, Pomona Catholic High School, as a liturgist, development officer, and alumni outreach person. While at the high school, she made sure to acquire a large San Damiano Cross for liturgy and explained its significance in the Franciscan family of which she was a member.
Sister Julianna’s greatest joy was singing and directing liturgical music; she called her voice her instrument of choice. She is most remembered for her wonderful rendition of “Ave Maria.” She participated in the National Choir of Women Religious, “Sister Act II: Back in the Habit as a non-union extra, the Papal choir for Pope John Paul II’s visit to Los Angeles and various other productions.
Her classmates, family, friends and religious sisters remember her as a “beautiful human being through and through with the light of Christ shining brightly in her.” Some remember her for her quick wit and sense of humor. Her joy and compassion were hallmarks of her character.
A beautiful moment of her last hours of life occurred at her moment of death. Soft harp music had been playing when, suddenly, YouTube came on, and the strains of “Ave Maria” were heard by her family. She went to meet her Maker and Spouse with her beloved song playing.
Funeral services were held at St. Joseph Church in Upland, California, on January 10, 2025. The Rosary was recited before Mass. Sister’s remains were then taken to Mother of Good Counsel Convent in Chicago for burial services and interment at St. Adalbert Cemetery in Niles, Illinois.
