Sister Mary Cecile Paulik's Obituary
Sister Mary Cecile Paulik, SSM
Sister M. Cecile Paulik, age 94, died on Monday, August 12, 2024, at
Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh,
Wisconsin.
Sister Mary Cecile, born April 18, 1930, in Oshkosh, WI, was named
and baptized Dorothy Anna. She is the oldest of ten children born to
Edward and Hedwig (Baszkowski) Paulik, having six brothers and
three sisters. Dorothy Anna entered the Sisters of the Sorrowful
Mother on February 2, 1947, in Milwaukee, WI and professed first
vows on August 12, 1949, receiving the name Sister M. Cecile.
As a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother, Sister Cecile served in the following ministries: Teacher at
Perpetual Help School, Milwaukee, WI (1949); organist and hospital helper at St. Elizabeth’s
Hospital, Wabasha, MN (1949-1950); Teacher at Madonna of Jerusalem Parish, Sharpsburg, PA
(1952-1953); Director of Women aspiring to religious life at Mother of Sorrows Convent,
Milwaukee, WI (1965-1966); Teacher at Mater Dolorosa Jr. College, (1966-1968) and Madonna
High School, Milwaukee, WI (1968-1971); Teacher at Notre Dame High School, Milwaukee, WI
(1971-1972); Chief Accountant at SSM-Management Services, Inc., Milwaukee, WI (1971-1976);
Milwaukee Province Treasurer (1974-1984) and SSM International Finance, Inc. Treasurer
(1976-1986), Milwaukee, WI; Vice President and Controller at SSM International Finance, Inc.,
Milwaukee, WI (1986-1987); Local Community Leader of Local Communities in Mequon and
Milwaukee, WI (2001-2012); Special Project Coordinator for the U.S. Caribbean Province
Administration, Oshkosh, WI (2011-2017). Sister retired to SSM Franciscan Courts in 2018.
Sister Cecile will be remembered for her ministries as a teacher earning her Bachelor of Science
degree from Marquette University with a teaching major in English along with a major in
mathematics. She went on to earn a Master of Science degree in mathematics and a second BS
degree in accounting from Marquette University. She spent almost twenty years in education,
ministering mainly at the two convent schools of Mother of Sorrows High School and Mater
Dolorosa Junior College, focusing on Mathematics and English. After earning another degree in
Accounting from Marquette University in 1974, she ministered in accounting for the
Congregation and served as Treasurer/Controller for the Milwaukee Province and SSM
International Finance, Inc. in Milwaukee.
In 2011, she moved to Oshkosh, where she began serving in the Regional Administration Office
as Coordinator of Special Projects. Through the years, Sister Cecile had served in many ways in
social justice efforts for the Congregation, including active membership in Seventh Generation
Interfaith Coalition for Responsible Investment. Sister retired to SSM Franciscan Courts in 2018.
Some of her hobbies were playing cards once a month with her family, gardening and sharing
the produce with the sisters, and baking Lebkuchen for the sisters and others at Christmas. She
was well known for her musical abilities on the organ and string instruments.
Sister Cecile is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Elaine Fisher and two brothers,
John and Ralph. She is survived by four brothers (Robert, Gerald, Hugo, and Richard) and two
sisters (Beatrice Bougie and Elizabeth Morgan).
Homecoming will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at Franciscan Courts in
Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on
Wednesday, August 21st, followed by burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Oshkosh, WI.
Father Bill Hower will be the presider.
Fiss & Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
What’s your fondest memory of Sister Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sister Mary?
Share a story where Sister Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sister Mary you’ll never forget.
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