Nancy Ulrich was born on January 31,1938.  She was the dear daughter of David and Wilhelmina, and an only child. Though she was born in Chicago, she was raised in what was – at that time – rural Naperville, close to her maternal grandmother, two aunts and cousins. Her paternal relatives were mostly in the Chicago area, so she was part of a large and loving extended family.

Nancy attended Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Elementary School in Naperville and Madonna High School in Aurora before entering the School Sisters of St. Francis. She had happy experiences in her education despite “not liking kindergarten.”  She was very influenced by her School Sister teachers who were “happy and caring.”  When she was considering religious life, the community of the School Sisters of St. Francis was the obvious choice.

Sister Nancy began her college education studying music and thought she would be a musician. When she first went on mission, she was told she would be a teacher and after a short time, she requested to remain in education.  Music remained close to her heart. She wrote “With gratitude to every School Sister musician with whom I lived, I was allowed to keep up my music, especially playing the organ for liturgies.”

After nine years on various missions, Nancy requested that she be geographically closer to her aging parents. She began her long and wonderful career at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Aurora, Illinois. Through the years, she ministered there as junior high teacher, Religious Education director, assistant principal, and finally principal. She was well prepared for each role as she had earned a master’s degree in Religious Studies and a master’s in Administration, taking extra courses and tests required by the State of Illinois for an Administrator’s Certificate.

After 26 years in Aurora and the death of her father, and then eight years later, her mother, Nancy was faced with another challenge. While continuing to live at Our Lady of Good Counsel Convent, she took the position of Religious Education Director at St. Irene Parish in Warrenville. When  she retired from Warrenville in 2017, she continued to live at Our Lady of Good Counsel Convent and volunteered in many ministries in the parish and community. She prepared parents for the baptism of their children and taught English as a second language at the Dominican Literacy Center until moving to Sacred Heart in Milwaukee.

Throughout her years of ministry, Sister Nancy was a valued and capable teacher, director, and administrator.  She was always well prepared and well respected by students and peers alike. In 2021, she was recognized by both the parish and the City of Aurora by having a day proclaimed in her honor. August 29, 2021, was declared “Sister Nancy Ulrich Day” in Aurora by Mayor Richard Irvin in recognition for her years of dedication, service, and leadership.

Sister Nancy was proud to be a School Sister of St. Francis and throughout her Life, she exemplified the quiet joy and caring that attracted her in elementary and high school to answer God’s call to religious life and this community.  In her years at Sacred Heart, she was known for her kindness, friendliness, sense of humor, and gratitude for the care and attention she received from the staff and community. Her sudden and unexpected death was a shock to all. But, as in her life, we can be assured that she was prepared when God said “Come.”

Thank you for your 70 years with us, Nancy. We’ve been enriched for having you among us. We pray that your new eternal life will be blest with the reunion of your dear parents, family members, School Sisters, and friends who have gone before. You will remain in our hearts and prayers as we journey toward that day when we will be reunited.