Sister Veronica Shunick, OSB, 1923-2009
Sister Veronica Shunick, OSB, 86, of St. Mary Monastery in Rock Island, formerly of Peoria, died Saturday, April 25, 2009, at the monastery.
A Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the St. Mary Monastery Chapel. Burial is in Calvary Cemetery in Rock Island. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the monastery, where a Christian wake service will be held at 7 p.m.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary Monastery, 2200 88th Ave. W., Rock Island, IL 61201.
Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home in Milan is in charge of arrangements.
Sister Veronica was born on Feb. 20, 1923, in Monmouth, Ill., a daughter of Richard and Sadie Cavanaugh Shunick.
She attended Immaculate Conception School in Monmouth and graduated from Monmouth High School.
Sister Veronica received her B.A. in education from St. Ambrose College and attended the Art Institute in Chicago. She received her M.A. in art from the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind.
Sister Veronica entered the Benedictine Community on Sept. 8, 1941, and made her first profession as a Benedictine Sister on July 29, 1943.
She served 18 years as an elementary teacher and/or administrator at St. Mary's Grade School in Nauvoo, St. Mary's School in Moline, St. Roch's School in LaSalle, and Holy Family and St. Boniface schools in Peoria.
Sister Veronica served as Community Schools Supervisor for the Sisters of St. Benedict for six years and as Associate Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Peoria for two years.
She was art instructor at St. Mary's Academy in Nauvoo from 1969 to 1995.
Known for her beautiful woodcuts and a variety of works of art, Sister Veronica prepared the art and environment for the Monastery Chapel.
She is survived by her Benedictine Sisters; brother and sister-in-law Richard and Margery Shunick of Scottsdale, Ariz.; sister-in-law Liane Shunick of Monmouth; and her nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Sister Bernadette Shunick, OSB, Vera Cofield and Rosemary Shunick; and brother Thomas Shunick.
Online condolences may be left at www.wheelanpressly.com.