Sister Deborah Marie Ciolek, Fssj

I AM THE RESURRECTION AND

THE LIFE; WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME,

EVEN IF HE DIES, WILL LIVE, AND

EVERYONE WHO LIVES AND BELIEVES

IN ME WILL NEVER DIE.

(John 11:26)

A remembrance in your prayers,

good works and sacrifices is

requested for the happy repose

of the soul of our

Sister Deborah Marie Ciolek, FSSJ

Sister Deborah Marie Ciolek died peacefully on September 22, 2024, in the 70th year of life and the 49th year of religious life.

Deborah Marie Ciolek was born on December 15, 1953, in Detroit, MI to the late Richard and the late Irene (nee Zajac). On August 29, 1972, she entered the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph as a postulant and professed her final vows on August 2, 1980.

Sister Deborah Marie received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, WI, and a Master’s in Education Administration from Westfield State College, Westfield, MA. She ministered primarily in the fields of education and parish ministries. Sr. Deborah Marie served as a teacher in the Buffalo, NY area at Mother of Divine Grace, Cheektowaga, NY, St. Barnabas, Depew, NY, and St. Columba, before ministering as a teacher in other states at St. Stanislaus, Chicopee, MA, Holy Rosary, Kenosha WI and Mater Dolorosa, Holyoke, MA. Later, Sr. Deborah Marie served as an administrator in the schools of Our Lady Queen of Angels, Detroit, MI, St. Stanislaus, Chicopee, MA, and St. Paul School, Grosse Point, MI. Following her years in education, she continued her ministry in several roles in the parishes of St. Maurice Parish, St. Priscilla R.C. Church, and Our Lady of Lasalette, all in Michigan. She was currently serving as liturgical coordinator at Immaculate Conception Convent, the Motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph in Hamburg, NY.

Sister Deborah Marie was devoted to the Blessed Mother and Blessed Solanus Casey, to whom she prayed often for intercession. She will be remembered for her joy-filled, caring, and generous spirit. She thoroughly enjoyed all facets of music and creative arts and willingly shared her talents with her sisters. One of her greatest gifts to God and her sisters was her composition of the song, Called by God, a musical rendition of the congregation’s charism statement. Her infectious smile and funny jokes will be remembered as one of her hallmarks as well as her dedication as a fan to the Detroit Lions and Tigers, win or lose.

Sister Deborah is the beloved sister of Daniel (Sally) Ciolek, Diane (Mark) Hyzer, and the late David and Ronald Ciolek. She is also cherished by her many loving nieces and nephews.

A wake will be held on Friday, September 27 from 3-4 pm with a prayer service at 4 pm St. Francis Park on South Park Ave. in Hamburg, NY. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Park on Saturday, September 28 at 9:30 am.

In Dearborn Heights, MI, a wake service will be held at the Stanley Turowski Funeral Home on Sunday, September 29, 2024, from 1-8 p.m. and a Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Linus Catholic Church on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.  Burial will be at St. Hedwig Cemetery in Dearborn Heights, MI.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph in memory of Sister Deborah Marie Ciolek or to Gerard Place in Buffalo, NY.

O GOD, GRANT SISTER DEBORAH MARIE A SHARE IN YOUR KINGDOM!