Sister Virginia Honish, a member of the Sisters of the Divine Savior, has dedicated her life to service and leadership in southeastern Wisconsin and beyond. After graduating from Divine Savior High School in Milwaukee in 1955, she joined her religious community and began a lifelong commitment to ministry.
Her teaching career started at St. Therese Parish School in Schofield, Wisconsin, where she taught second grade. Former students remember her kindness and steady presence. Encouraged by her community, Sister Virginia continued her education with degrees from Alverno College and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She later served as principal at St. Pius X Grade School for 11 years, focusing on faith-based education and personal attention for each student.
Sister Virginia also held leadership roles within the Salvatorian community as provincial councilor and Provincial Leader of the Sisters of the Divine Savior in the United States. Colleagues noted her calm approach during times of change.
In 1991, she became principal at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School (DSHA) during a period of growth. Under her leadership, DSHA expanded academic offerings and strengthened its Catholic identity. Her efforts were recognized when the Archdiocese of Milwaukee honored her with the Vatican II Award for Leadership in Education in 2010.
After retirement, Sister Virginia traveled to Tanzania to teach English to young Salvatorian Sisters and supported local projects such as an agricultural initiative that raised over $70,000 for development.
The Foundation for Religious Retirement supports retired women religious like Sister Virginia by ensuring they receive care and live with dignity in their later years. The organization relies on donations and planned giving to fund its operations (official website). It enables Catholics to assist retired Sisters through financial support while offering services such as prayer requests (official website). The Foundation allocates more than 90 percent of its funds directly to eligible religious communities (official website) including groups like the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Racine Dominicans, and Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi (official website).
Operating as a not-for-profit organization serving the Archdiocese of Milwaukee (official website), its board includes leaders from various congregations and the archdiocese itself (official website). Donations help improve facilities and provide accessible transportation for retired sisters who have spent their lives serving others (official website).
“Her joy came from watching students and teachers thrive and knowing families felt supported by their school community.”
“Supporting the Foundation allows those stories—and the Sisters’ witness—to continue, even as they step back from active ministry.”
— by Tim Kanza