Remembering Sister Suzanne Lesniewski, OSF

Sister Suzanne Lesniewski was born in Chicago on February 15, 1937, the daughter of Pearl (Januchowski) and Harry Lesniewski. After attending SS. Peter and Paul Grade School in Chicago, Suzanne went to high school at St. Francis Academy in Joliet. She earned a BA in history from the College of St. Francis and an MA in religious studies from Mundelein College.

In her early years as a vowed Joliet Franciscan, Suzanne was known by the religious name of Sister M. Hope. She began her career as a grade school teacher in several cities in Illinois: Chicago, Des Plaines, Lansing, Freeport and Joliet.

When Suzanne felt called to move from classroom teaching to directing catechetical programs, she was told by Sister Francine Zeller that she was not professionally prepared. She wasted no time enrolling in and completing a Masters program in religious education at Mundelein College. Those studies stood her in good stead as she went on to direct programs in numerous parishes for the next four decades until her retirement. She later served the Congregation as a Local Coordinator and in the Mission Advancement office.

Read More About Sister Suzanne’s Life

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Suzanne or another Joliet Franciscan Sister, please click here:  Remembering our Deceased Sisters.