Sister Mary Jo Koudelka

Sister Mary Jo Koudelka, OSU, formerly Sister Joseph Anne, died Monday, May 23, 2022 at The Grove at Oakleaf Village, Toledo, Ohio. Sister Mary Jo was the daughter of the late Francis and Mary Anna (Werling) Koudelka. She entered the Ursuline Convent in 1952 from St. Joseph Parish, Tiffin, Ohio. Sister Mary Jo attended St. Joseph School in Tiffin, St. Ursula Academy, and earned a Bachelor's degree from Mary Manse College and Master's degree from the University of Toledo. She also took advanced study courses at Xavier University. Sister Mary Jo's teaching career was spent at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Teresa, Nazareth Hall, and St. Angela Hall, where she also served as principal. She taught at St. Anthony Villa and was a coordinator at Cardinal Stritch High School while working part-time in fund raising. Sister Mary Jo was part of the pastoral team at Ursuline Center for 15 years. In 2000 Sister Mary Jo was the Caretaker at Oblate Residences Senior Housing and worked part-time at Swan Creek Retirement Village and at Hafner's Florist. Following the Toledo Ursuline mission to be available for any work of charity, Sister Mary Jo tutored at Women Blessing Women and was a Reader/Recorder of the Catholic Chronicle for Equal Access Ministry (for the visually impaired). She also volunteered at Mercy Health St. Anne's Hospital and Ursuline Center. Perhaps most fulfilling to Sister Mary Jo was her volunteer work at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Several years ago, Sister Mary Jo wrote, "For many years I had hoped that someday I would be able to give service to Hospice of Northwest Ohio. From the beginning I knew I could not do this work on my own, so I asked the Lord to enter each situation through me and direct me in the best way possible. Each week I experience what I call "Little Miracles" and when I go home, I know I have received much more than I have given that day." Sister Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Gregory Koudelka; and sister, Joan Smith. She is survived by her brother, James (Judy) Koudelka, numerous nieces and nephews, and her Sisters and Associates of the Ursuline Community. Sister Mary Jo donated her body to The University of Toledo, College of Medicine. The Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Ursuline Center, 4035 Indian Road, Toledo, OH. Memorials may be made to the Ursuline Convent, 4045 Indian Road, Toledo, OH 43606. Arrangements by Coyle Funeral Home where one can sign the guest registry at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

Tributes

Sister Mary Jo Koudelka

March 19, 1935 - May 23, 2022