Sister Joanette Nitz, O.P.

Sister Joanette Nitz, O.P., 89, passed away at Lakeshore Manor, Racine, WI on December 11, 2010.

Mary Norma was born October 6, 1921, to Alvin and Leona (nee: Stafflet) in Beaver Dam, WI. On September 1, 1939, she joined the Racine Dominicans and at her reception in 1940 she was given the religious name Sister Joanette. She professed her first vows in 1942 and her final vows in 1948.

Sister Joanette spent many years in service to others in teaching and in justice and human rights advocacy work. She began her ministry in 1942 at St. John, South Milwaukee, WI. In Racine she served at Holy Name, Sacred Heart, Holy Trinity and St. Catherine High School. She also served in Michigan. In Detroit she worked at Nativity Parish both in the school and also as a Community Agent. She was a member of the Team for Justice working for advocacy in the Wayne County Jail, and later was an adult education teacher and volunteer tutor. She became a resident at Siena Center in 2004 and continued to do justice information distribution. In October of 2010 she moved to Lakeshore Manor, Racine.

Sister Joanette is survived by the Racine Dominican Sisters, Associates and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Vivian Calkin.

Visitation will be in the Siena Center Chapel on Friday December 17, beginning at 9 a.m. with a Remembering Service at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Memorials to the Racine Dominican Mission Fund have been suggested.

The Racine Dominicans would like to extend their thanks to the staff that cared for Sister Joanette at Lakeshore Manor.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine  (262) 634-7888