January 25, 1929 — May 25, 2025
Sister Mary Honoria, Mary Bartoszek of Manistee, Michigan, died in the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent, Livonia, Michigan on May 25, 2025. Sister was 96 years old and a religious for 77 years.
Born in the beautiful countryside of Manistee, Michigan, to John and Bernice (Szplit), Mary, a twin, was the fourth of five children: Beatrice+, Donald+, Joseph+, and twins Mary (SM Honoria) and Betty+. Baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Church, Manistee, Mary attended Oak and St. Joseph elementary schools. After one year in Manistee High, Sister transferred to the newly erected St. Joseph High School in Manistee and was in the first graduating class of 1947.
From her early years, Mary often assisted others and helped in many ways. Whether it was mopping and dusting the home of a relative, cutting the grass or cleaning a yard, Mary was there with a smile. Even after an accident with a mangle that left her arm somewhat bruised and scarred, she was not prevented from volunteering her services in many ways.
Mary felt the gentle call of the Lord to religious life, and on June 24,1947, following graduation, she was accepted into the Felician Congregation. Invested with the Felician habit on August 15, 1948, she received the name Sister Mary Honoria. First profession of vows was on August 16, 1949 and final profession on August 12, 1955.
In preparation for a ministry of teaching that spanned 49 years, Sister Mary Honoria earned a bachelor’s degree from Madonna University, Livonia, Michigan, and was granted Michigan State Elementary Permanent Teaching Certification and Ohio Provisional Elementary Certification.
Traversing the States of Michigan and Ohio, Sister Honoria taught primary grades in the following schools: St. Louis the King, Help of Christians, and Sacred Heart – all in Detroit; St. Anthony, Toledo, Ohio; St Stanislaus, Jackson; St. Valentine, Kawkawlin (Beaver); St. Stanislaus, Toledo, Ohio; St. Stanislaus, Dorr (Hilliards); St. Stanislaus, Ludington; St. John Vianney, Wyoming; St. Jude, Grand Rapids; Holy Rosary, Cedar; St. Joseph, Manistee; St. Joseph, Jackson; and St. Michael, Southfield.
Sister Honoria also held the following appointments from 1999 – 2008: Assistant Administrator for the Kindergarten at St. Joseph Home, Jackson; Local Minister, vicar, sacristan, and Center Aide at Maryville Center, Holly, Michigan; and Provincial House vestry, laundry, sewing in the infirmary with residence at Madonna Convent, Livonia, Michigan.
In 2011, Sister Honoria moved to Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent, Livonia, assigned to house duties which included sewing and mending.
Known for her culinary arts, desserts were a welcomed treat. On special feast days or national holidays, Sister Honoria’s homemade “Crème Puffs,” with light, cream filling and flaky crust, were enjoyed by all.
One of sister’s favorite sites was the Fatima Grotto on the grounds of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent, Livonia. There, with her long time friend SM Presentine Ugorowski, she daily recited the rosary and filled the surrounding space with songs to the Blessed Mother.
Sister Mary Honoria lived a very religious life and an active social life. An avid traveler, Sister visited Rome three times: 1984, accompanied by her nephew Father Richard Bartoszek and family; 1988, selected as a member of the Culinary Team for the General Chapter; and 1993, chosen by lottery to attend the Beatification of Blessed Mary Angela, Foundress of the Felician Sisters.
Sister’s health status slowly declined over the next 14 years and it became imminent that the Lord would soon call her home to Himself. Sisters began the vigil by her bedside on May 25, 2025, praying and reciting the rosary. Her nephew, Rev. Richard Bartoszek, was also visiting. Later that evening, at 11:44 p.m., Sister Mary Honoria slipped peacefully into God’s eternal embrace to meet the Lord whom she served so faithfully on earth.
On Wednesday evening, May 28, 2025, the Rosary and stories of Sister Honoria’s life were shared with sisters and family. Morning Prayer on Thursday, May 29, began at 10:30 a.m. followed by the Mass of Resurrection celebrated by Rev. Richard Bartoszek, nephew of Sister Mary Honoria, at 11:00 a.m. in the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel of the Felician Sisters, Livonia, Michigan. Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Michigan.
