Sister Antoinette (Marie) Volk, Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ, died at 99 yrs. old on January 1, 2022 at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Indiana. She was just 2 weeks away from her 100th birthday.
Born to Anton and Catherine (Kuenstler), Wendelin, IL she was preceded in death by her parents along with her brothers Virgil, Anton, Don, Louis and her sister, Sr. Loretta Volk, PHJC. She is survived by her sister Ethel Zwilling.
Sister Antoinette entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ September 8, 1943 and professed her vows June 25, 1946.
Sister Antoinette began her ministry in the dietary departments at Angel Guardian Orphanage, St. Mary’s School Carlyle IL, St. Mary’s Hospital East St. Louis IL, and St. Joseph Hospital Fort Wayne IN. Beginning in 1960 she held dietary supervisory positions at Convent Ancilla Domini in Donaldson IN, St. Mary’s Hospital Gary IN, and St. Augustine Convent Chicago IL. In 1990 she became the Coordinator of Hospitality for the United Family Center, Chicago IL. and transitioned in 1996 as a companion to the elderly from Saint Peter and Paul parish Chicago IL. Sister Antoinette considered each new mission a new beginning and in it she made love visible. Sister’s daily living was a prayer of loving service which she offered up for each person. Before Sr. Antoinette left her last mission and retired, the presenter at her farewell expressed the sentiments of so many people: “We are humbled by her gift of prayer and the beauty of her complete trust in God not on a day-to-day basis, but, minute-by-minute.”
Sister Antoinette officially retired to the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, IN on July 1, 2001. Even in retirement she continued to serve by caring for the other sisters and residents at Catherine Kasper Home. She also designed and sewed baby quilts and comforters, selling or gifting to those in need, and her creations were always admired and appreciated.
Visitation and Services will be held at Ancilla Domini Chapel in Donaldson, Indiana.
Visitation on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 (4:30 – 8:00 p.m. EDT); Prayer Service (7:00 p.m. EDT)
Visitation on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 (10:00 – 11:00 a.m. EDT) followed by the Mass of Resurrection and burial in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson, Indiana
The services will be livestreamed at: www.poorhandmaids.org/live
Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, Indiana 46513 or on www.poorhandmaids.org.
Sr. Deborah PHJC says
To the family of this beautiful woman:
Thank you for sharing Sr. Antoinette with us. We are all blessed to have known her. The Poor Handmaid community will miss her simple, loving presence.
Lori Wikman says
Sister Antoinette exemplified the true meaning of “Poor handmaid”. Her dedication of simple living, care of those she met and love and prayer for everybody is a blessing to those who knew her. I celebrate your joy, Sister, at meeting Jesus and all your loved ones in Heaven.
Mirthala Taylor says
Our sincere condolences to the P.H.J.C. Sisters and the family of Sr. Antoinette. a beautiful soul.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Tom & Mirthala Taylor
Carol Dowd says
So sorry to hear this. She was always a joy to be around. Smiling all the time. Beautiful soul she was.
Amy Nolan says
Sr. Antoinette was such a happy, smiling, kind and silly person. I met her as a young child and spent many dinners and birthday parties with her because she was friends with my aunt Sr. Damian. To a shy quiet kid, she made us laugh and was so kind. May her family and friends know she will be missed and know she left her mark on me. God bless Sr. Antoinette.
Teresa says
Sr.Antoinette always had a smile and a laugh to make everyday we had with her better, she will truely be missed but I am grateful to have known her, until we meet again Sister..love always Teresa
Dorothy Rudolphi Uebinger says
I just finished watching the live stream beautiful wake and Mass for Sr. Antoinette and want you her family to know you have been in my thoughts and prayers. I was touched by Fr. Robert’s words. They said a lot for her. She was a beautiful soul. Being an Associate to the PHJC’s, I always enjoyed visiting with St. Antoinette when we had meetings in Donaldson. She always proudly displayed her many quilt projects. Although I was 8 years behind her in age, we grew up together in Wendelin. She is now the last PHJC from Wendelin to pass on. Sr. Josephine Iffert was my husband (Al’s) aunt and she died 5 tears ago. Although you are sad to see Sr Antoinette go, just remember that you now have an angel watching over you. May she rest in peace. My condolences to all of you.