Sister M. Clarinda Coffel

Sister M. Clarinda Coffel died at Hospice of Northwest Ohio Ebeid Hospice Center in Sylvania, Ohio, on September 17, 2026. The daughter of Clarence M. Coffel and Catherine McGuire, Coffel felt called to religious life at an early age and followed her older sister, June, (Sister M. Alexandra), to the convent in Sylvania, Ohio, in 1949. They both had attended school at Immaculate Conception Parish in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, and were taught by the Sylvania Franciscan Sisters. Sister Alexandra made her first profession in 1951, and Sister Clarinda made her first profession in 1954. The Sister-sisters both pursued education as their primary ministry. Sister Clarinda earned a B.S.E. degree and an M.A. degree from the University of Detroit in Michigan.

Over her almost 72 years of ministry in education, Sister Clarinda taught in elementary schools in Ohio and Michigan, and excelled as a leader in education as a Principal in schools in Ohio and Minnesota. For 20 years she was the Principal at Immaculate Conception School, where she attended classes as a child. During her 20 years there she was known for her dedication to the dignity of each student, the excellence of the faculty, and the importance of parental involvement in the child's education in the home and at school. As an educator, she continually pursued certification in education, administration, supervision and religious education.

After retiring from being a Principal, Sister Clarinda was invited to minister at a large parish in New Brighton, Minnesota. She served there as Director of Religious Education, Pastoral Minister and Bible Study Coordinator until her retirement in 2025. The Bible Study served mostly elders from the parish, and she loved this ministry. It fulfilled her dream, "...to invite myself and others to live the Gospel Message."

Sister Clarinda left Minnesota in July to retire at the Motherhouse. Her last six months in Columbia Heights were filled with parties and celebrations thrown by the parish in gratitude for Sister Clarinda's presence and ministry in their community for so many years, as well as gatherings with family and friends. Her time back with her Sisters was brief, but she shared her gifts by proclaiming the Word and singing along at Mass with her beautiful voice. She will be missed dearly by her Sisters in community; her brother, Jerome (Halett) Coffel; many nieces and nephews; as well as countless friends and students. Rest in peace dear Sister.

The Welcome Service for Sister Clarinda will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel, in Sylvania. The Funeral Liturgy will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., in the Chapel, and will be livestreamed here: https://video.ibm.com/channel/RvdadQRjbGk. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, Ohio. Arrangements by the Thomas I. Wisniewski Funeral Home, Toledo, Ohio.

www.wisniewskifuneral.net
 

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