Associate Obituaries

2026

Associate Connie Roybal

Consuelo "Connie" Roybal was called home by God on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at the age of 83 years.

Connie earned two master’s degrees in education and religious studies and spent many years as a Catholic Elementary Principal and Educator. Her dedication to teaching was deeply impacted by countless students and faculty throughout the Milwaukee Archdiocese as well as the Archdiocese’s of Detroit, Michigan and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Connie was a Racine Dominican Associate for more than ten years. Her sponsor was S. Joyce Ballweg. A formerly temporarily vowed Racine Dominican Sister, Connie made her initial commitment as a Dominican Associate of Racine on June 24, 2016, and her enduring commitment on June 22, 2018.  Connie had many and varied ministries.  She taught and administered in Michigan, New Mexico and Wisconsin.  Connie was a lector, RCIA team member, Eucharistic minister and religious education teacher in several Milwaukee area churches.  She studied with S. Lucy Edelbeck OP, and gave several presentations on “The Beguines” and “The Psams: Songs of the Heat” to the community. An enthusiastic adult learner and reader, she studied Greek formally and informally with area religious and clergy. for over 10 years  She was a frequent volunteer at Siena Retreat Center. She also served as an Associate co-director in 2019-2020.  She often said, “God is like a GPS.  When we take a wrong turn, God recalculates.”  

Connie was a strong, sincere and compassionate prayer leader. She had a deep love for her family, her long-time companion, Susan Walczak, and the Racine Dominican community.  And we all loved her back! As she said in 2019,  “The Spirit moves always and constantly through the people whom I meet each day and in the things they ask of me.  I try to respond joyfully and  respond willingly to any request made of me since I believe the Spirit asks through others.”

Connie is survived and missed by her many nieces and nephews.
 

Associate Judy O'Connor (1940-2026)

Judy O’Connor, age 85, went home to her Lord on Monday, January 19, 2026. Judy was born in 1940 in Wausau, Wisconsin to Florence and Raymond. She was the eldest of five children and shared 64 years of marriage with her beloved husband, Jim. Together, they built a loving family with four children: Chris, Mary, Ann, and Jon. They welcomed nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren into their family, each one adding happiness to their lives. In her role as a mother, she poured her love and kindness into raising four children and helping them become happy, successful, hardworking and caring adults. Hearing about their lives and families gave her great joy.

Judy was known for her thoughtfulness, kindness, and unwavering faith. She found joy in lightening life’s challenges with humor and was deeply involved in her local Catholic communities at St. Edward's and later St. Paul the Apostle. Judy also served as an associate in the Dominican order at Siena in Racine, exemplifying her commitment to faith and service.

Judy was a well-respected Dominican Associate of Racine, with over 31 years of faith-filled commitment.  Judy was a force!  A frequent presence at Associate and community meetings, she never hesitated to share her truth, and invite others to do the same.  She was particularly known for her love of prayer, and during the pandemic, she created “Prayer Partners,” matching Sisters and Associates to pray together regularly.  Even after 5-6 years, “Prayer Partners” are still going strong.  Judy was also a strong advocate of communication with Associates who had no internet or computer connection, and she wrote often to Associates who were shut-in or isolated. A lover of lists, she always had a “To Do” list for her Associate director!   

As salutatorian of her graduating class at Newman Catholic High School, Judy demonstrated academic excellence early on. She continued her education at UW Parkside, reflecting her dedication to lifelong learning. Outside the home, Judy worked in various office assistant positions at church, directed religious education at St. Edwards Parish, and taught 7th and 8th grade religion at Holy Name School, helping to shape the spiritual lives of many young people.

Judy’s days were filled with faith and devotion. She never missed a birthday, holiday, or significant event in the lives of her family and friends. As an exceptional listener, she made everyone feel valued and important. Her compassionate and caring nature was evident to all who knew her.

In retirement, Judy led a chronic pain support group and published a monthly newsletter, offering comfort and guidance to others on their journeys. She enjoyed spending time with friends, especially during frequent gatherings with the Red Hat ladies. After Jim’s retirement, the couple cherished their years as snowbirds in Lake Havasu City, AZ, where they relished leisure and sunshine together.

Judy’s compassion reached beyond her immediate family, touching countless lives within her community. She was always ready to help, encourage, and share her warmth with those in need. Her enduring legacy of kindness and faith will inspire all who were privileged to know her for years to come.

2025

Associate Pat Fogarty (1952-2025)

William Patrick “Pat” Fogarty, age 73, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025 after a long battle with cancer. Pat was born on January 29, 1952, in Omaha, Nebraska, son of the late William G. and Erma (nee: Connor) Fogarty.

At the age of 6 months, Pat contracted polio and spent 3 months in the hospital. As a result of his illness, he lost full function of his left arm. In the summer of 1958, he moved with his family to Kansas City, Kansas where he attended Christ the King grade school, until his family moved to Milwaukee in 1965. There he completed grade school at St. John de Nepomuc grade school.

Pat graduated from Messmer High School in Milwaukee “Class of 1970” and was the treasurer of his senior class. He loved music and played the trombone with some of his high school friends in the band “Galloping Crud”. Pat earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in accounting from UWM and later received his CPA.

On July 6, 1985, Pat was united in marriage to the love of his life, Elaine Bertelsen in the Siena Chapel. Pat was a dedicated member of St. Patrick Catholic Church.  

Pat worked for several accounting firms before opening his own, Fogarty and Associates, LLC. After selling his firm in 2020, he worked part time for Gordon J. Maier & Company LLP up until this past spring.

This year Pat celebrated his 40th anniversary as a committed Dominican Associate of Racine. He and his wife Elaine were two of the original Racine Dominican Associates making commitment in 1985. From the beginning, Pat provided free or low-cost accounting services to tax exempt organizations.  He wrote, “My clearest memory of life as a Racine Dominican will always be a call to service with Sr. Ann Pratt and the HOPES Center.  Whether it was Sr. Clarice Sevegney and the LGBT Center, Sr. Jeanne Kimler and sponsored ministries, or Sr Michelle Olley and the Volunteer Center, all of them knew instinctively that I couldn’t say no to them.  The result was wonderful years of service.”  He was on the board for any number of non-profit organizations, such as the Volunteer Center of Racine County, Cops and Kids, and the HOPES Center, among many others. Pat loved to travel and made multiple trips to Europe. He had deep compassion and love for everyone he met. He was also a trombonist and a fantastic conversationalist, especially if it involved the Packers or the Brewers. Although Pat is no longer physically with us, we will carry his legacy of love and compassion in all that we do.

Pat is survived by his wife of forty years, Elaine Fogarty (nee Bertelsen), who is also a Racine Dominican Associate.
 

Associate Joe Grauwels (1945-2025)

Joseph Grauwels, age 80, passed away peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, May 28, 2025, at Ascension All Saints Medical Center. Joseph was born in Racine on May 13, 1945, son of the late Joseph and Anna (nee; Getritis) Grauwels.

Joe was a proud graduate of St. Catherine’s High School “Class of 1963” and cherished the life-long friends he made there. He then went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in German and Education at College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. Following graduation, Joe returned to his alma mater, St. Catherine’s High School, where he taught German and English, for forty-one years to the delight of countless students. He chaperoned 16 trips to Germany affectionately known as “The German Trip”, before retiring in 2010. On March 18, 1972, Joe was united in marriage to the love of his life, Linda Holm, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Racine. They raised three children, Mindy, Joe and Katie and shared fifty-three beautiful years together. Joe was a longtime dedicated member of St. Joseph Catholic Church serving on the Parish Council and as a lector. Joe also became a Racine Dominican Associate in 2014. In his spare time, Joe volunteered at the Hospitality Center at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church downtown, was a board member and volunteer at the HOPES Center and enjoyed cooking, reading, and working in his garden. A large man in stature, Joe will be remembered for his even bigger heart, always showing compassion and helping others in need, his ability to educate and connect with his students, and his dedication to service in the community. He was deeply committed to his recovery and found great purpose in his involvement with Alcoholics Anonymous, where he mentored and supported many others on their journey, forming bonds that became like a second family to him. Above all, Joe will be best remembered for his deep love and devotion to his family.

Joe will be dearly missed by his wife, Linda; children, Mindy Gordon, Joe (Rose) Grauwels, and Katie (Pat) Johnson; grandchildren, Christoper Czarnecki (fiancé Lauren), Natalie Carbajal, Kyle and Katelyn Gordon, Anna and Lauren Johnson, Joseph Grauwels; sister, Joanne Ramaker; sisters-in-law, Judie Grauwels and Sherry Grauwels; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Joe was also preceded in death by his brothers, Jim and John and dear friend Paul C. Smith.

Associate Sybil Harp (1931-2025)

Sybil (Chance) Harp passed away peacefully at home in Quinton, Virginia on February 21, 2025. Born on June 22, 1931, she was the daughter of Percival and Sybil Chance. Sybil attended public school in Montclair, New Jersey and graduated in 1953 from Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Following graduation from college, she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study philosophy in Amsterdam, where she met her husband, Jan Leo Harp. Jan and Sybil Harp returned to the United States, settling in Virginia following their marriage in 1955 to live and raise their four children.

From 1966 to 1996, Sybil worked as the editor of special interest magazines. She was first employed by Carstens Publications as the founding editor of Creative Crafts and Dollhouse Miniatures. In 1987, she moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to become the editor of Nutshell News, published by Kalmbach Publications. During her career in the publishing field, she traveled through the United States and Europe, leading tours for her readers, and attending craft and hobby shows.  

After retiring, Sybil volunteered at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Milwaukee's inner city, participated in events at DeKoven Center and Wingspread in Racine, and spent time with the many friends she had made in Wisconsin.

Sybil became a Racine Dominican Associate candidate in 1998, She was known for her lively and engaging personality.  She was part of a cluster that met at S. Lucy Edelbeck’s home in Milwaukee.  Sybil also completed the first Spiritual Guidance Training Program at Siena.  In Sybil’s own words, “I sometimes imagine my life as a patchwork quilt.  At times it has seemed like a crazy quilt, with the pieces going every with way in no discernable pattern, for my quilt has a design that is best viewed from a distance, the distance of time.  From that perspective, I can see that mine is a story quilt, and the Racine Dominicans are a part of that story…. Among the treasures I brought with me to my new home was a meaningful piece of my life’s patchwork quilt: my commitment to the sisters and associates of the Racine Dominicans.  That commitment has change who I am in a basic way, and I will never let it go.”

She is proceeded in death by her parents and her husband Jan. She is survived by her four children, Sybil Parker, John Harp, Peter Harp and Sandra McMullen and her six grandchildren, Ryan, Lindsay, Meghan, Thomas, Emily and Jon.

 

Associate Marge Smith (1947-2025)

Margery Jean “Marge” Smith, age 77, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday January 22, 2025 at her home in Racine, WI. Marge was born in Racine on June 4, 1947, daughter of the late Joseph and Alice (nee: Quinn) Smith.

Marge graduated from St. Catherine’s High School “Class of 1965.” She then went on to earn her teaching degree from Dominican College. In her younger years, Marge taught at Holy Name Grade School and then was employed with Lincoln Lutheran of Racine for many years. She also loved her time working and volunteering at Siena Center. Marge was a faithful and committed Associate for over 27 years. Marge was also an active member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening around her home, loved her cats, and enjoyed helping elders in many ways, including ministering at the Volunteer Center and driving for MyRide.

Marge will be dearly missed by her brothers, James (Ketti) Smith of Aurora, CO, Joseph (Barbara) Smith of Madison; niece and nephews, Ketti, David, Greg and Kevin; the Racine Dominican Sisters and Associates, other relatives and many friends. In addition to her parents, Marge was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Kiesler. 

2023

Associate Vera Olson

Vera L. Olson, 85, of Union Grove, WI, passed away peacefully surrounded by the warmth and love of her family on November 16, 2023, at her home in Union Grove. Vera was a beacon of love and devotion as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Born on February 12, 1938, in Riverside, CA, to parents William A. Allman and Vera M. Penrod. In her earlier years after moving to Wisconsin, Vera worked as a transcriptionist at the State Capitol in Madison. Later, she worked at Southern Wisconsin Center in Union Grove, starting as a receptionist and eventually rising to the role of an aide. Simultaneously, Vera extended her caring nature to the community, volunteering as an EMT on the Union Grove Fire Squad. Her days were filled with helping people, and her nights were dedicated to saving lives—a testament to her unwavering dedication to helping others.  She ministered at one of the Racine Dominican Mission Partners, the Senior Companion Program (Racine) as a senior visitor.  She also volunteered at the Veterans Home in Elm Gove, and at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility. 

Upon retiring, Vera embarked on a journey to explore the world, visiting various countries and embracing her passion for life. She continued to dedicate her time to various volunteer initiatives, with one of her most cherished commitments spanning an impressive 23 years as a Racine Dominican Associate. Vera was a very talented seamstress, making beautiful clothes for her children and grandchildren. Her kitchen, always crowded with food and family, brought joy and laughter to the holidays, with Christmas holding a very special place in her heart.

Vera's legacy is one of love, warmth, and selflessness. She leaves behind a family and community touched by her caring spirit and a lifetime of cherished memories.

2022

Associate Janet Payne (1938-2022)

Janet L. Payne passed away surrounded by her loving family on Monday, July 4, 2022.

Janet was a child advocate who strongly believed in the importance of volunteerism, something that she modeled her life after, and had the ability to see the good in everyone. Janet devoted her life to social services and retired from Racine County Human Services as the Coordinator of Services to Children, Youth and Families after nearly 30 years of service. Other notable career work include her roles as the Juvenile Detention Center Director, United Way grant-writer and Bethany Apartments Interim Director.

Janet co-created the Community Intervention Program in conjunction with the Racine Police Department providing mediation services to the community for nearly 10 years. Throughout her life, she enjoyed volunteering as a teacher/mentor for many organizations, including St. Mary’s School, Wayman Church and Fine Arts School. She loved working with children and youth. Recently, the Racine Dominicans at Siena Center acknowledged Janet for her 15 years as an Associate. She was very proud of her Associate role and truly enjoyed her work and her many friends at Siena Center. Janet was also a long-standing member of the Siena Center Choir.

She enjoyed music, reading, nature, attending her grandchildren’s activities and caring for all. Above all, she was a loving and devoted wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma.

Associate Colleen Catherine Gavahan (1937-2022)

Colleen Gavahan, a 16-year Racine Dominican Associate, was born on February 11, 1937 in Racine, WI. She passed away on February 2, 2022 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  She made her Initial Commitment as a Racine Dominican Associate on 6/26/2004 and Enduring Commitment on 6/24/2006.  Her sponsors were Therese Van Thull, OP and Regina Williams, OP+.  Because of her great love for Jesus and other people, Colleen was passionate about matters of social justice. She advocated for civil rights and racial integration and volunteered with Prolifers for Survival Peace Movement, Pax Christi, ABBA House, and the Catholic Prison Ministry. She lived these passions sacrificially by opening her home to single mothers, missionaries and people of all races and nationalities. 

She is survived by her sons: Mike, Patrick and Paul, and daughters: Anne, Amy and Jody, 8 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  Colleen was preceded in death by her parents, brother, sister, former husband and son.