Mary Leontine Backowska (1910 - 2001)
Teacher, religiousSister Mary Leontine Backowska
The Rite of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, June 4, 2001 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hall (Felician Sisters' Infirmary) Chapel for Sister Mary Leontine Backowska. Sister Leontine, who was 91 years old and had been a Felician Sister for 74 years, died on May 31, 2001 at the infirmary.
The former Anna Barbara Baczkowska, Sister Leontine was the third of six children of Theophila and Louis Baczkowski. She was born in Wilmington, Delaware, where she eventually attended Saint Hedwig School. After grammar school, she entered the Felician Sisters' Aspirancy (high school for girls considering religious life). After only two months in the aspirancy, she was admitted to the postulancy on September 9, 1926. A year later she received the Felician habit and was given the name of Sister Mary Leontine. In 1929 she professed her first vows. Six years later in 1935 she professed her final vows.
Sister Leontine was a graduate of Immaculate Conception Normal School, Seton Hall University (Bachelor of Science Degree in Education) and Villanova University (Master's Degree in English).
From 1929 to 1942 Sister Leontine taught in grammar schools in the Archdiocese of Newark. From 1942 to 1953, she was principal and local minister of Saint Laurentius Parish in Philadelphia and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Bayonne, New Jersey.
In 1953 Sister Leontine was elected to the Provincial Council. In 1958 she was a General Chapter Delegate to Rome. After her leadership experience, she taught in Saint Joseph High School in Camden, New Jersey, and in Holy Cross High School in Dover, Delaware. Finally from 1968 to 1986 she taught English and Speech at Felician College in Lodi, New Jersey. From 1986 to the end of her life she was an infirmary resident.
Sister Mary Leontine is survived by her niece Ms. Jackie Chester of Elmer, New Jersey, and other relatives.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in the Felician Sisters' Provincial House Chapel (Immaculate Conception Chapel) by the Rev. Charles Theobald, Pastor of Saint Francis De Sales Parish in Lodi. Father Charles was also the homilist. Interment followed in the Felician Sisters' Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Shook Funeral Home, Inc. of Clifton and Cedar Grove, New Jersey.
Source: The Post Eagle, Wed. June 20, 2001