Remembering the recently deceased in the Archdiocese of Seattle

Sister Bernice Clifford, PBVM (Mary Edward Joseph)SAN FRANCISCO, California

Sister Bernice Clifford, a member of the Sisters of the Presentation, died Jan. 5. She was 91.

She was born in San Francisco and was a Sister of the Presentation for 72 years. She had a Bachelor of Science and a master’s in education from the University of San Francisco. Her 53 years of ministry in Catholic education included stints as a teacher and principal in San Francisco, San Jose, Berkeley, Montebello and San Lorenzo. Within the Archdiocese of Seattle, she served as a teacher and principal at Our Lady of Fatima School in Seattle.

In 2001 she moved to the Motherhouse Care Center in San Francisco and engaged in prayer ministry.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Jan.12 at the Presentation Motherhouse.

James Patrick DiJulioKIRKLAND

James DiJulio, a member of St. Monica Parish on Mercer Island, died Jan. 7. He was 87.

He was born and raised in Seattle where he attended Seattle Prep and Seattle University. He served with the Marines during the Korean War. His career was in automotive sales, working at Riach Oldsmobile, Platis Cadillac and Sanglier Cadillac.

He was active with the Seattle Jesuit Club, the Italian Club, Seattle Prep and Seattle University alumni associations and the Serra Club. He also enjoyed coin collecting, photo scrapbooking and reading.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; sons, David, Tom, Tim and Brian; daughters, Christy Smith, Mary Lynn Thompson, Nancy Kissler and Darcy Schuster; 17 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 16 at St. Monica Church.

Sister Katherine Gray, SNJM (Lucian Mary)SPOKANE

Sister Katherine Gray, a member of the Sisters of the Holy Names, died Jan. 29. She was 94.

She was born Katherine Blanche Gray in Nespelem, Washington. She attended Holy Names College in Spokane and entered the novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Names in 1944. She received her Bachelor of Arts in education from Holy Names College and a master’s in education from the University of Oregon.

She ministered as a teacher, principal and administrator in Oregon, Spokane and at St. Martin’s University in Lacey, and as executive director for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Commission on Certification and Accreditation in St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1993 she retired from active ministry and settled in Olympia. Her volunteer work included working with her sister, Dorothy Hiller, at the St. Vincent de Paul outreach program at St. Michael Church.

She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Hiller; and many nephews and nieces.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 4 at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Spokane.

William Devine StewartSEATTLE

William Stewart, a longtime member of Holy Rosary Parish, died Jan. 22. He was 95.

He was born in Cambuslang, Scotland. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He worked as a commercial airline pilot before retiring in 1981.

He was active with the Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Union Gospel Mission. He also enjoyed traveling, sports and being with his family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Constance.

Survivors include his son, William Stewart; daughters, Connie Anderson and Leslie Bordeaux; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 4 at Holy Rosary Church.

Sister Blanca Sagles, SPSEATTLE

Sister Blanca Sagles, a member of the Sisters of Providence, died Feb. 1. She was 68.

She was born in Artacho St. Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippines. She attended the University of the East in Manila and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting. In 1970 she immigrated to Toronto, Canada, where she obtained Canadian citizenship and worked as an accountant.

In 1978 she moved to Los Angeles and continued her career in accounting. At her parish, St. Kevin, she was the catechism coordinator for children and adults. She also served on the parish finance committee and was the bookkeeper.

In 1994 she entered as a candidate with the Sisters of Providence. She continued working full time while living with the sisters and learning about community life. The next year she moved to Yakima for another year of candidacy. She became a novice in 1996.

She moved to Spokane and attended Gonzaga University to study theology. She had ministries in Yakima and Oregon. From 2006-2009 she served as a pastoral assistant at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Burien. In 2009 she returned to Burbank, California, as a chaplain at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, where she served until December 2016. She became a U.S. citizen in 2012.

She enjoyed playing tennis, cooking, arranging flowers and poetry.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Emmanuel and Manuel. She is survived by her brother Virgilio; sisters, Zenaida Soriano, Angeles Pagulayan and Wilma Dusaban; and nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 11 at St. Joseph Residence.

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