“If the world takes something from us on the one hand, God will give us something on the other.”
St. Louise de Marillac
Remembering Sister Louise Zaplitny
Sister Louise Zaplitny died March 25, 2026, at the age of 80 in Mother Margaret Hall, the Sisters of Charity nursing facility.
Sister Louise was born on Aug. 30, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, to Joseph L. and Helen (Gust) Simons. She was the third of four daughters, with two older sisters. She was a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati for 32 years.
She grew up in Detroit, attending St. Mark Grade School and graduating from Girls Catholic Central High School in 1963. Known lovingly as a “Sister-mom,” Louise married Steven Zaplitny in 1965. Together they raised two sons, Mark and Fred. Following her husband’s death in 1991 due to poor health, Louise began a period of deep reflection and discernment.
In 1992, she participated in a year-long retreat program at her parish, where she met Sister of Charity Kay Tardiff, one of the retreat directors. Sister Kay introduced her to the life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, sparking Louise’s call to religious life. By June 1993, Louise and Sister Kay visited the Motherhouse, and later that fall, Louise shared with her sons her decision to enter the Sisters of Charity. Having been familiar with religious life through their aunt, Emily, a Sister of St. Joseph in Nazareth, Michigan, her sons supported her journey and remained present through each step of her formation, including her final profession of vows in 2001.
Sister Louise earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Walsh College in Troy, Michigan, in 1988. She later pursued a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, in 2001. She began her clinical pastoral education in Detroit at Children’s Hospital and went on to become a board-certified chaplain through the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.
Sister Louise’s years in ministry were varied, rich, and deeply rewarding, leading her to serve as a chaplain in both the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Archdiocese of Detroit. She began her ministry in 1997 with Vencare Hospice in Cincinnati and concurrently served as a chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Cincinnati from 1997 to 2003.
From 2003 to 2006, Sister Louise ministered as a member of the Pastoral Care Team at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. There, she participated in medical rounds and patient care conferences, designed and led rituals and liturgies, and facilitated health care ethics programs. The team also guided families through end-of-life decisions and welcomed volunteer pastoral care visitors to assist in supporting patients.
During this time, Sister Louise endured profound personal loss. Her son Fred died in May 2003, followed by her son Mark in June 2005. Reflecting on these tragedies, she shared, “It was my faith in God that got me through the pain of the loss of both of my sons and my husband. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s writings and life experiences were a definite help to me at this time. I always had a saying over my dining room door, ‘God doesn’t give us what we can handle; God helps us handle what we are given.’”
As a Sister-mom, Sister Louise especially treasured the relationships she formed within the community and among other women religious. She valued the shared stories and diverse ministry experiences that shaped each woman’s journey. “The Sisters’ hugs and welcoming nature have been a blessing to me all along this journey,” she said. “The telling of their own stories has helped to affirm my decision to be a Sister of Charity.”
Throughout her life, Sister Louise experienced illness, particularly cancer, as a frequent and unwelcome companion, affecting both her and her sisters. This personal journey deepened her compassion and shaped her ministry as a chaplain. She accompanied patients and their families with a heart that understood both the trauma and the grace found within suffering. Having walked a similar path, she ministered with empathy, presence, and hope. Inspired by the writings of Elizabeth Ann Seton, Sister Louise’s faith was strengthened through her losses, and she came to know God’s presence in the midst of suffering.
Sister Louise retired in 2015, continuing her ministry through volunteer service at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, where she visited patients, offering comfort and companionship. She also volunteered at the Brunner Literacy Center, helping adult learners build confidence in math. As her health declined, she moved to Mother Margaret Hall, where she cherished the opportunity to form new friendships with Sisters she had not previously met in ministry.
Sister Louise is survived by her sister, Mary Ann LaFave, along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Sister Emily Simons, CSJ, and Helen Simons.
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