Lillian Rose Pawlik

On Thursday morning, December 19, 2019, Sister Lillian Pawlik, OSB, was called to New Life.  “Baby Pawlik,” as her birth certificate states, was welcomed into the family of John and Mary Pawlik, in San Antonio, Texas, on September 25, 1931. Sister Lillian attended St. Gerard Catholic School through eighth grade where she was taught by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.  Having a great affinity for the Sisters, Sister Lillian entered their aspirancy in St. Louis, Missouri, and that is where she graduated from high school.  Sister Lillian immediately entered the Religious Order of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, in August of 1949. After her years of formation and first profession in 1952, Sister Lillian made her final vows on August 1, 1958.
  

     In August of 1961, Sister Lillian earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Notre Dame College, St. Louis, Missouri, followed by her Master of Arts in Elementary School Counseling from Xavier University, in New Orleans, Louisiana. During her teaching career she taught in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, serving as an elementary principal five of those years.  From 1971 through 1976 Sister Lillian used her counseling education and skills working for the Social Apostolate of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. In time, Sister Lillian began to feel the desire to become more actively involved in social justice issues, and through Benedictine friends, came to know the Sisters of Benedict of Red Plains Priory, in Oklahoma City, a community actively involved in education, peace and justice.  After a year of prayer, spiritual direction and discernment, Sister Lillian transferred her vows to this Benedictine Community, promising additional vows according to the Rule of Benedict, of Stability and Conversion of Life, in August of 1983. In August 1984, Sister Lillian began a four year ministry as a staff member at the Benedictine Peace House, in Oklahoma City.
   

     Moving back to New Orleans, Sister Lillian began ministering as a counselor and staff member at Lindy’s Place, a transitional housing program for single, homeless women.  She served with her generous heart and gentle spirit in that capacity until the Fall of 2018.  As Sister Lillian’s health declined she became a resident at Chateau de Notre Dame, where she was in daily contact with many of her friends, the Marianites of the Holy Cross.  Staff members at the Chateau were very fond of Sister Lillian due to her calm, friendly, jovial manner...and she loved each one of them.  She was admitted to Touro Infirmary on the morning of Wednesday, December 18 and passed away in the early hours of Thursday, December 19, 2019, after having received the Sacrament of the Sick just hours before.
   

    Sister Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Magdelen and her brother Sixtus.  She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Barber, who lives in Pflugerville, Texas with her daughter Mary Albright, and by her nieces Dorothy Mueth and Liz Kell and her nephews Clifton Barber, David Barber, Michael Pawlik, and Billy Stapleton.  Sister Lillian will be missed by her family, her religious community and her many friends and colleagues.

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