The University of Saint Mary joins the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth as they mourn the loss of Sister Mary Vincentia Maronick, 91, who died on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at the Mother House in Leavenworth, Kan.
Betty Jo Maronick was born on July 29, 1924, in Helena, one of four children of Stephen J. and Marguerite Ashall Maronick. She graduated from Ursuline Academy in Great Falls. Betty entered the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth on August 14, 1945, and, as Sister Mary Vincentia, made her profession of vows on August 15, 1947.
Sister Mary Vincentia received a B.S. in Music Education from Saint Mary College, later known as the University of Saint Mary, and a M.S. in Mathematics from Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. She taught math at Bishop Hogan High School in Kansas City, Missouri, and at Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1955, she was named Dean of Freshman Students at USM. In 1965, Sister Mary Vincentia was asked to become Alumni Director and to start a development program for USM. She served as Director of Development for 15 years and after a much deserved sabbatical, returned to USM and served an additional 15 years as Director of Major and Planned Gifts.
In 1992, she became involved with the Douglas County AIDS project as a volunteer. In 1996, she resigned from USM and moved to Billings, where she became an active member of AIDSpirit Montana, a newly-founded volunteer group to support those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. She lived in Billings for 16 years, enjoying the close proximity of her brothers and their families in Great Falls, and satisfying the passion of her heart in AIDS and GLBT ministry.
In 2012, Sister Mary Vincentia retired to the Mother House in Leavenworth. Her death brought her home to the God she had faithfully served for 70 years, and into the embrace of her parents, Stephen and Marguerite Maronick, her brother Dr. Edward Maronick, and her many SCL sisters, and her dear friends.
Survivors include brothers William Maronick (Pat) and Robert Maronick (Dot), both of Great Falls, extended family, friends, and her SCL community.
A vigil was held on December 28, 2015, at Ross Chapel of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Annunciation Chapel on December 29. Interment followed in Mount Olivet Cemetery on the Mother House grounds.
Belden-Larkin Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Saint Mary, 4100 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048. 
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