Sister John Marie Charniga, OP, (88) died in Mohun Health Care Center, Columbus, OH, on December 16, 2023.
John Marie (Theresa Ann) was born in 1935 to Mary Anne Valovsky and John Charniga. In 1959, she entered the Congregation, and has spent the last 62 years in service to God’s people.
Sr. John Marie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Mercy College, a master’s degree in education from the University of Detroit and a master’s degree in religious education from Mercy College. For nearly twenty years she taught in schools in Michigan and Wisconsin. She later used her gifts to serve as Pastoral Minister and Director of Religious Education in Michigan.
In a memorial letter to the Congregation, Prioress Sr. Pat Twohill, said: “Sr. John Marie was someone who gave meaning to the saying “Bloom where you are planted.” She embraced her various assignments over the years, and helped the community in as many ways as she could.”
She was preceded in death by her parents John and Mary, her brothers John, Joseph, Michael and George, and her sisters Mary Oshanik and Annie Lombardi.
A vigil of remembrance was held on December 27, at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse Chapel, Columbus, OH.
The funeral liturgy was held at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse Chapel on December 28. Sister will be buried on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, in the Oxford cemetery.
Memorial gifts in Sister John Marie’s memory may be submitted securely online or sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr, Columbus, OH 43219.
Click here to download or print Sr. John Marie’s obituary.