Three Ursuline Sisters celebrating golden jubilees

Staff report

CANFIELD

The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown will be celebrating the golden jubilees of three members, Sisters Mary Alyce Koval, Nancy Pawlen and Diane Toth, during Mass at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 7345 Westview Drive, Boardman, followed by a dinner at Antone’s Banquet Centre. Invitations have been issued for the events.

Sister Mary Alyce is education director for Beatitude House in Youngstown, where she has served since 2009. Beatitude House is a ministry of the Ursuline Sisters that helps homeless women and their children overcome cyclical poverty through housing, education and other assistance.

Prior to that, Sister Mary Alyce ministered in school administration, serving as principal first at St. Joseph School in Austintown, followed by St. Rose School in Girard, then at St. Charles School. She also has ministered as an educator at several elementary schools in the Diocese of Youngstown.

Sister Mary Alyce is active in the greater community, serving on the boards of directors at Park Vista of Youngstown and St. Joseph the Provider School in Youngstown. She also serves as a Hospice of the Valley companion, on the Youngstown Diocesan Pastoral Council, with St. Charles Parish Pastoral Council and in several liturgical ministries at that parish.

Sister Mary Alyce’s previous service included being a member of the Ursuline Sisters Leadership teams from 2002-2014 and, prior to that, as a member of the formation team of the Ursuline Sisters.

A graduate of Ursuline High School in Youngstown, she earned a bachelor of science in education degree from Youngstown State University, a master of science degree in educational administration from the University of Dayton and a master of arts in ministry from Ursuline College in Cleveland. She also holds several professional certifications.

Sister Nancy is an assistant director of The Ursuline Center, the educational facility operated by the Ursuline Sisters. She also is active with the Young Adult Outreach Program and as a homebound minister for St. Rose Parish.

Over her career, Sister Nancy ministered as an elementary and middle-school teacher at several diocesan schools and served as principal at St. Luke and St. Charles schools in Boardman. She also was the director of Omni-West Assisted Living in Youngstown from 1989 to 1991.

Sister Nancy serves on the First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown board for the Diocese of Youngstown and on the Dorothy Day House Corp. board of directors. She also has served on the Beatitude House board and been a member of many professional organizations.

A UHS alumna, Sister Nancy earned a bachelor of science in elementary education from YSU, a master of arts in theological studies from the University of Dayton, and a master of education in early childhood education from Kent State University. She holds several professional certifications.

Sister Diane is a social worker, ministering at the Windsor House facilities of Parkside Health Care Center in Columbiana and St. Mary’s Alzheimer’s Center in Salem since 2006. Sister Diane’s career in social work spans three decades. She previously served at Beatitude House and St. Joseph Hospital in Lorain, and Omni Manor Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Youngstown.

Before becoming a social worker, Sister Diane ministered as an educator in several diocesan schools.

Sister Diane also has served as president of the Lorain County Volunteer Guardianship Program and has been active with other professional and volunteer organizations.

Sister Diane is a graduate of Poland Seminary High School. She earned a bachelor of science in education from YSU and a master of social work from the University of Pittsburgh. Further, she holds professional certifications in her fields of study.

“We are grateful to God for the lives of service that Sisters Mary Alyce, Nancy and Diane have given to God’s people in the Church. These sisters give witness to God’s love and faithfulness,” said Sister Mary McCormick, general superior of the Ursuline Sisters

Also celebrating jubilees as Ursuline Sisters this year are Sisters Charlotte Italiano, Mary Lee Nalley and Eleanor Santangelo: 60 years; and Sisters Germaine Staron and Jeanne Cigolle, 65 years.

The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown are Catholic nuns who, since 1874, have together met critical needs of people in Northeast Ohio.

For more information, visit www.theursulines.org.