Obituary of Sr. Lillian Silkowski

Sister Lillian Silkowski, (91), formerly Sister Francis Anthony, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died July 1, 2025, at Complete Care at Saint Vincent’s, Cedar Grove, New Jersey.

Sister Lillian, the daughter of Anthony and Mildred (Egginson) Silkowski was born in Passaic, NJ and raised in Belleville. She entered the Sisters of Charity on September 24, 1952, and was a member for 72 years.

Sister Lillian graduated from the College (University), of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, New Jersey with a B. A. degree in History. She served in the ministry of education in New Jersey for more than 50 years. Sister Lillian was a teacher at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Tenafly, Immaculate Conception School, Elizabeth, Epiphany School, Cliffside Park, Holy Cross School, Harrison, NJ, and St. Mary’s School, Jersey City. She was also Dean of Students at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Hoboken.

Sister Lillian’s ministry at St. Mary’s, Jersey City spanned more than 20 years. It was her first experience living and working in the city and she loved it! Sister Lillian loved the students, their families and all the people in the community surrounding St. Mary’s Parish and School. In addition to her dedicated teaching and after school study hall, Sister Lillian’s love for the young people of Jersey City was demonstrated by her involvement in their sports programs, including CYO baseball and basketball teams. She is well known for opening the school gym in the evenings to provide a safe place for the neighborhood young people to gather. In an interview in 1998, Sister Lillian said “You have to be willing to give time to listen, to care, to understand . . . You need to be there for them.” In 1994 Sister Lillian was honored by the Archdiocese of
Newark with a Teacher Recognition Award.

In 2008 Sister Lillian moved to the Convent of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, NJ. When her health declined, she moved to St. Joseph’s Health and Rehabilitation Center, Cedar Grove where she resided until her death.

Sister Lillian was predeceased by her parents, her sisters Viola, Elaine Macenko and Thelma Ivey and her brother Robert. She is survived by her Sisters of Charity community, many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and great grandnieces and great grandnephews.

 The wake for Sister Lillian Silkowski will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, NJ from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM. The mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM and will be livestreamed. Burial in Holy Family Cemetery, Convent Station will immediately follow the mass. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of S. J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, Lake Hiawatha, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Sister Lillian Silkowski to the Sisters of Charity Legacy and Mission Advancement Office, P O Box 476, Convent Station, NJ, 07961, would be appreciated.

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