Franciscan Brothers and Sisters

Who have gone to their Eternal Reward

Josephine Valencic

 April 24, 2009

The personal heart-felt prayers that Josephine composed for each of the Solanus Casey meetings in Venice from 3/02 to 12/06 are a beautiful memorial she left behind! Here is an excerpt from the one she wrote in 8/05: “...thank you for calling our sister, Mae Monroe, to yourself, and we pray for the next one in this fraternity to be called to your Kingdom..." Following Josephine’s example, let us thank God for calling this much-loved member to Himself and pray for whoever may be the next one.

Florence Altadonna

March 22, 1927 - April 6, 2009

 

We will always remember Florence as a ‘giving’ person. She would never come to visit or say hello to anyone without bringing something - usually, something she made. Her family of 3 children, 4 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, was extended to the Franciscan family on Dec. 17, 1998 when she was professed in Bradenton’s Portiuncula Fraternity. She broadened this feeling when she took over the Ecology Commission in the fraternity and the world became ‘family’ to her. To be near Florence, was to feel her love and caring. But on April 6, God came to give her all the love and care she gave others.

Jody Witiver

March 11, 2009

Jody Witiver, 56, of Maximilian Kolbe Fraternity in Fort Myers passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2009. Jody was a decorated veteran of the US Army Special Forces and served in Operation New Life, the refugee evacuation in Guam. She was professed on January 25, 2004. Her funeral was March 23rd at the Church of the Ascension on Ft. Myers Beach. She will be missed by her loving family and many friends in the Fort Myers Beach Area. Jody was a very loving and giving person who selflessly sought out and helped those in need. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

Mary Geneva Coon

May 25, 1923 - February 19, 2009

 God called ‘Jimmie’ (as most of us called her) Coon from Fr. Solanus Casey Fraternity to her eternal reward on February 19, 2009. She was very active in church as an Extraordinary Minister, as a Lector and as a teacher in CCD. Jimmie was professed on Nov. 18, 1986 and served as the minister from 2002 to 2005. She peacefully received the Sacrament of the Sick just prior to Fr. Solanus Casey Fraternity members praying the rosary for her. Therefore, we know, we have another Secular Franciscan interceding for us before the throne of God.