Sr. Mrozinski

Mrozinski, OP, Sister Phyllis (the former Sister Mary Fidelis) of Grand Rapids (born in Bay City, MI) died on July 23, 2017. She was 86 years old and a Dominican Sister for 65 years. Sister Phyllis received a B.A. in English, an M.A. in Religious Education and a B.F.A. in Sculpture from Aquinas College. Sr. Phyllis served as a teacher at St. Joseph, East Tawas; St. Mary, Charlevoix; Holy Rosary Academy, Bay City; Marywood; St. Mary Magdalen, Melvindale; and St. Joseph the Worker, Beal City. She taught art in every school and her students won many awards for their art work. Returning to Aquinas College later in life, Sister Phyllis discovered a passion and talent for sculpture. She accepted a commission to sculpt a life-size image of St. Thomas Aquinas, which graces the entry of the main Academic Building on the Aquinas College campus. In 1994 Sister Phyllis became a full-time artist in residence at Marywood where she created art pieces in stone and clay models for bronze casting. Some of these can be viewed at Marywood and Dominican Center, including her sculpture of St. Dominic on the main drive into Marywood. Sr. Phyllis served in a leadership position in the Dominican Institute for the Arts and created the Fra Angelico Award for the organization. This award was presented to Sister Phyllis in 2006. Sister Phyllis will be remembered for her prayerful life, her gentle demeanor, and her works of art which were both vibrant and clear; symbolic and abstract. Sr. Phyllis is survived by her sister Vicki (Duane) Balko; brother Chester (Susan) Mrozinski; and brother-in-law Alex Kryska all of Saginaw, MI; nieces and nephews, many friends and members of her Dominican community. Sister Phyllis will repose at Dominican Chapel/Marywood, 2025 Fulton Street East, with visitation on Wednesday, July 26 from 3:00-7:00 pm, followed by a Remembering Service at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 4:00 pm on Thursday, July 27 at Dominican Chapel/Marywood. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials in Sister Phyllis Mrozinski's name may be made to the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters Health Care Fund. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Sr. Phyllis Mrozinski please visit our Sympathy Store.