In Loving Memory
As A New Genesis Community, we would like to share a bit about our deceased members with you. We remember them with gratitude and joy. We know their spirit remains with us today. We also promise to pray for the deceased members of all our friends and families.
Jeanne Dixon
~Sr. Stephanie Spence, Appleton, WI
Jean was a soul on a journey—searching for God’s will in her life. When she first joined A New Genesis, she had just left the Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Cross (Bay Settlement community) and was teaching for Sr. Carmelyn in Kaukauna. She went on to get her Master Degree and license as a counselor.
Jeanne was hoping to find a life partner and get married. The community was present at her wedding to Phillip Dixon. She was so excited to set up a counseling business in Marinette, where she had worked for Lutheran Social Services. We had a meeting at her new place and blessed it.
Jeanne struggled with her bi-polar condition and for many reasons had to give up her business and worked for Iris House and NAMI of Appleton, assisting and advocating for those with mental illness.
Jeanne and Phil divorced after a few years, and she was again living a single life. She said she tried all three vocations (religious, married, single) and was happiest as a single person. As a member of the writing committee for Living the Call, she was a great advocate for including the single vocation and associate membership. Jeanne was member of the Spirituality Ministry and an active volunteer at her parish of St. Bernadette in Appleton. She was especially remembered for her work on the annual parish rummage sale. Jeanne died suddenly on February 6, 2020.
Jan Wichlacz
~Sr. Diane Baumann, New London, WI
When Jan celebrated her associate membership (the term at the time) in A New Genesis on June 26, 1999, it was one of the happiest days of her life. She had many happy moments before that in her marriage and the births of her children and grandchildren. But Jan's life-long quest for spiritual growth was uniquely expressed in her ANG membership.
Jan's spirituality was embodied concretely in her daily life. She was the soul of generosity, and an advocate for the handicapped. She served her parish, county and civic communities through board memberships and presidency. The Eucharist was a special treasure for her, and she enjoyed ministering as a Eucharistic Minister, both at Mass and to the home-bound.
Jan was also a loyal friend, who showed support for her life-long friends in every aspect of their lives, always remembering birthdays, anniversaries, and special events. Her homemade cards took hours to construct and were always sent from the heart, often with a little gift tucked inside. Thank you, Jan, for all the goodness you brought to A New Genesis Community and beyond. Jan died September 5, 2006.
Sr. Mary Ramone Blahnik
~Sr. Jeanette Trost & Sr. Verna Fowler
Sister Mary Ramone had an exuberance for life. She had an endearing habit of doing goofy things and laughing at herself. She first helped at the College of Menominee Nation as a tutor at the Stockbridge Munsee site in Gresham. Jeanette and Ramone had great times traveling to the site and engaging with the students. Sometimes there was a short stop at the casino on the way.
When Mary Ramone was diagnosed with cancer, she took cancer treatment as a ministry to others. When my sister Shirley got cancer, Sister Mary Ramone came to pray with her, give her advice about surviving the treatment and brought a big jar of Aqua Salve. She said her doctor recommended it as a way with dealing with radiation burns. Shirley looked forward to Ramone’s helpful visits.
She was hired at the College of Menominee Nation to be in charge of the Oneida Center. The students just loved her warmth and hospitality. She always had water and snacks for them. At her funeral, there were a group of Oneida students in the back of church “crying their eyes out” because she was so accepting and welcoming to them and they would miss her.
Sr. Mary Ramone was the first coordinator of A New Genesis, a difficult role when the community was just forming. Her courage, delegation and warmth helped the community grow. She died December 26, 2004.
Sr. Mary Bride Grubbs
Sr. Marla Clercx, Green Bay, WI
Mary Bride was a pioneering woman in many ways. A former member of the Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity (Manitowoc), she knew she wanted to remain in religious life, and give her life to God’s people. She was one who worked with Bishop Wycislo to found a New Genesis Community. In fact, Mary Bride offered the name A New Genesis for our community, after reading the phrase in an article.
Mary Bride was the first Parish Director in the Green Bay Diocese, and only the second in the Midwest. She served at St. Patrick Parish in Stephensville and St. Denis in Shiocton. Being not only the first lay leader of a parish, but also the first woman, had many joys, but also some struggles as she paved the way for future women as parish leaders. She always advocated for a more inclusive role for women in the church, and for a bigger image of church. She served as Diocesan Chancellor and was the first Victims Assistance Coordinator, listening to and counseling those affected by clergy abuse.
Mary Bride had a quiet but assertive way of challenging the church and its leaders. She had a fiery passion when it came to issues of injustice. A few years after being diagnosed with cancer, she found she could no longer live on her own and moved to Florida to live with her sister and brother-in-law, Kathy and Bill. Her faith was her source of strength in her ministry and her life with cancer. Mary Bride died on February 18, 2014, the 31st anniversary of the founding of A New Genesis.
