Sister Mary Lillian Rutkowski

August 7, 2020

Sister Mary Lillian (Jane) Rutkowski, 88, of Syracuse, died peacefully in her sleep at Central Park Health Center. She was born on February 9, 1932, and was the only daughter of the late Stella B. (Kuciejewski) and John G. Rutkowski. Sister Lillian had a lifelong desire for religious life and she joined the Felician Sisters Immaculate Heart of Mary congregation after completing high school. She received a M.A. in Religious Education in 1972. After taking her final vows, Sister Lillian worked as an educator in the Community of the Felician Sisters and Franciscan Covenant Community (non-canonical) at various school districts in New York and Massachusetts. She returned to Syracuse in the 1980s to care for her father and mother. She is survived by her first cousin, Karen Sasgen of St. Augustine, Florida, and several nieces and nephews. The final celebration of Sister Lillian’s earthly life will be held at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Syracuse,- Private- followed by interment at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Geddes.