Sister Claire Pink 

Sister Claire shared that she is anxiously awaiting the celebration of her Jubilee this year. Five years ago, at her 75th Jubilee, “we were living with COVID rather than celebrating” with one another.

Sister Claire was born on March 16, 1929, in Lancaster, Wisconsin, the seventh of nine children. When, at age five, she started school, she was greeted by the School Sisters of St. Francis who were teaching there. She had her eye on the community from that time on, and after completing her primary education, she entered the Aspirancy following her second year of high school.

Sister completed her formation in the usual manner, and after staying in college one year following the Juniorate, she was asked to go to St. Philomena School in Illinois to teach music, which was her love. At times, she also taught in individual classrooms when needed. She moved to several different parishes during these years.

At St. Matthias in Chicago, her musical talent was shared in teaching kindergarten through eighth grade, directing children’s and adult choirs, and giving music lessons in both violin and organ. Sister Claire remembers, “One year I played 25 Masses in one weekend, as Christmas fell so close to the usual Saturday and Sunday Masses, along with the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses!”

After many years of sharing her musical talents, Sister Claire came to St. Joseph Convent in Milwaukee to become a coordinator assistant for 16 sisters living there. She sang in the sisters’ choir, both up in the balcony and on the main floor near the organ. Her life at that time revolved around assisting the sisters in numerous ways, such as helping residents with their sewing needs, welcoming new sisters to the group, seeing that each sister’s daily needs were met, and whatever else came “across her plate.” This could include restringing blinds, sewing drapes, recovering chair seats, or putting shelves together. Nothing was too much for Sister Claire!

Just as things seemed to be moving along well, a decision was made to downsize and eventually close the residence where the sisters were living. Sister Claire was gentle and attentive as she helped with this transition, assisting each sister in determining where she would move, depending on her age and health, and helping decide which items could be taken along to her new home. As the sisters moved out, there remained the question of what to do with furniture and other items left behind. Sister Claire was there to guide each sister through this process.

Then came the time for Sister Clare herself to find a new home. She chose an apartment in the former music department of Maria Linden – the very place where she had taken music lessons as a young sister! She filled her days with a daily walk to St. Joseph Chapel for a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament and returned later for Mass. In between, she visited with sisters, did cross stitching and embroidery, and continued singing in the choir.

After a few years, the nearly-two-block walk to the chapel became more difficult. Additionally, due to building issues, she needed to temporarily relocate to Sacred Heart. She appreciated the room where she stayed during that week, and since it was available, she was invited to make it her permanent home. She gladly accepted the invitation and now resides at Sacred Heart.

Sister Claire continues to pray daily in the chapel near her room and enjoy her times with stitchery and her reading. Her greatest talent is braiding the delicate Palm Sunday fronds, which she lovingly shares each year with many sisters and friends. When her supply of palms is gone, she returns to visiting with sisters, reading, cross stitching and embroidery.

Thank you, Sister Claire, on your 80 years of music ministry as a School Sister of St. Francis in Illinois, and for your gentle compassion in helping sisters adjust in their retirement.