Obituary of Sister Didier

Didier, Sister Johanna (1918 - 2012) Died in Goiania Brazil on March 6, 2012. She was born in Evanston, Illinois to the late Emma and Aloysius Didier. One of fifteen children, she was the second of four daughters to enter the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate. Sister Johanna was preceded in death by her brothers: Paul, Aloysius, Herbert, Arnold and James and her sisters: Cecelia, Sister M. Ambrose, OSF, Pauline Krueger and Sister Mary Therese, OSF. She is survived by her brother Jerome (Patricia) and sisters Lorraine (Leroy) Schuetz, Marcella(Les) Merriman, Sister M. Peter, OSF, Barbara (Edward) Flynn and sisters-in-law Dolores Didier, Mary Sue Didier, and Virginia Didier. Sister Johanna was a treasured member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, Joliet, IL for 75 years. Sister Johanna attended St. Mary's Grade School and St. Patrick's High School in DesPlaines, Illinois. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in English at the College of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois and a Master's Degree in Education at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. During the first 27 years of her Religious life, Sister Johanna taught in grade schools and high schools in Illinois and Ohio and served as Principal at St. Mary's High School in Columbus, Ohio. From 1945 - 1959 Sister Johanna cared for the Aspirants at St. Francis Preparatory in Joliet and also taught Religion at St. Francis Academy (now Joliet Catholic Academy) in Joliet. In 1966 Sister Johanna achieved a life-long dream of becoming a missionary and for the next 43 years she ministered in Santa Helena and Goiania, Brazil, South America. In 1984 because of her services to the people of Santa Helena, Sister Johanna received honorary citizen status from the Mayor of the City of Santa Helena de Goias. In 2009 Sister Johanna returned to the United States and resided at Our Lady of Angels until February, 2012 when she returned to Brazil for a special occasion. While visiting there she became ill and died. She is interred at Santa Helena de Goias, Brazil. For information: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rd., Joliet 815-741-5500