Sister Catherine Marie Belongia's Obituary
Sister Catherine Marie Belongia, age 97, died on October 20, 2025, at SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Sister Catherine Marie, born on June 30, 1928, in Appleton, Wisconsin, was named and baptized Catherine Edna. Catherine Edna was the oldest of ten children born to Fred and Clara (De Grand) Belongia. She had three sisters (Patricia, Roseanne, and Veronica) and six brothers (Emerson, Alden, Matthew, Myron, James and Clayton).
Catherine entered the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother in Milwaukee, WI on June 18, 1944. She professed first vows on August 12, 1947, receiving the name Sister M. Berchmans which she later changed back to her baptismal name Catherine and became known as Sister Catherine Marie.
As a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother, Sister Catherine Marie served as a teacher in the following elementary schools: Mother Perpetual Help School, Milwaukee, WI (1948-1954), St. Patrick’s School, Estherville, Iowa (1954-1955), Our Lady of Good Hope School, Milwaukee, WI (1955-1958) and principal of Our Lady of Good Hope School from 1958 until 1963. In 1963, she was assigned as principal of Mater Dolorosa High School in Denville, N.J. for one year. From 1963-1967 she earned a Masters Degree in Administration and Supervision from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. From 1967-1986 Sister served in administrative positions for the Denville, NJ Province as provincial and later as General Superior in Rome, Italy. From July 1989-May 2009 Sister worked in spiritual services and did retreat work in Denville, NJ. She retired to SSM Franciscan Courts on June 30, 2015.
Sister Catherine Marie was preceded in death by her parents and six of her brothers and two of her sisters. She has one living sister, Veronica Davidson.
Homecoming will be at 4:00 p.m. at SSM Franciscan Courts on Thursday October 23, 2025. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday October 24, 2025 at SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, WI with Father Tom Long officiating. Burial will take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Oshkosh, WI.
Fiss & Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
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