Sr. Juliette Chicorli SSMI

Sr. Juliette (Olga) was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada to Thomas and Anna Chicorli along with her other 17 siblings. She is survived by her sisters Ellen, Cornelia and Connie along with many nieces and nephews. Sr. Juliette was preceded in death by her sisters Mary, Eva, Nellie, Stella, Stephanie and her brothers John, Walter, Michael, William, Norman, Nicholas, Metro, Maurice, and Harry.

Sr. Juliette grew up in a large loving family, raised by parents whose faith in God was a priority. She experienced God’s call at the young age of 16, and entered the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in Mundare, Alberta Canada. She professed her final vows in 1951 in Ancaster, Canada.

When Sr. Juliette entered the Sisters Servants, there was only one province in North America, Christ the King in Canada. Thus, Canadian and American SSMI’s served together the needs of our people beginning in 1935. The Immaculate Conception Province in the United States was established in 1959. It was at this time that the Canadian SSMI’s were given the opportunity to choose to stay in the U.S. or return to Canada. Sr. Juliette’s missionary spirit prompted her to stay, knowing the sacrifice of leaving behind her large family and her homeland. Sr. Juliette is the last Canadian-born SSMI in the United States, which reminds us of our unity with our “Mother” province. This unity with our Canadian Province will remain strong in our hearts, even with Sr. Juliette’s passing.

Sr. Juliette’s main ministry as an SSMI was in elementary education. She enjoyed teaching primary grades in parishes throughout the U.S. for over 50 years. As an educator, she prepared her lessons conscientiously, always focused on developing the minds, hearts and souls of the little ones which were entrusted to her.

Sr. Juliette also ministered for a short while at St. Mary’s Retreat House serving the needs of those who came to find spiritual renewal. She also ministered at St. Joseph’s Home where she enjoyed caring for the elderly.

Sr. Juliette did not like to be in the spotlight, but lived her religious life simply and faithfully. She had a humble heart and a listening ear, always ready to listen to the pains and struggles people would share with her. She was community-minded, and an unwavering supporter for the various needs of the Sisters Servants. Although she was more of an introvert, if the SSMI’s were having a raffle, or needed to raise money for a certain project, she was not shy in “pounding the pavement” in getting various organizations and people to support our project.

Sr. Juliette continued to wear the full veil/habit after Vatican II allowed religious to wear a simpler sign of their consecration. She may have suffered ridicule because of this choice, but it also brought her some laughter. In 1992 the movie “Sister Act” was a big hit. Sr. Juliette was teaching in St. Josaphat School in Rochester, NY when some of the students thought she was one of the nuns in the movie and wanted her autograph.

In 2016, Sr. Juliette’s eyesight started to diminish along with her hearing, but her mind was sharp as ever. She craved to know what was going on in the world and remained active in community life. Many SSMI’s have the fond memory of seeing Sr. Juliette and Sr. Tharasia faithfully praying the rosary together every evening for the many intentions that people gave them. In 2017, Sr. Juliette became a resident at St. Joseph’s Home.

When asked about her life, Sr. Juliette responded: “My religious life has been very rewarding with blessings a hundredfold daily.” Sr. Juliette has been a blessing to the Sisters Servants and the Church. May her memory be eternal!

***In lieu of flowers, donations in Sr. Juliette’s memory may be made towards St. Joseph’s Expansion