Sister Krysia Pillon, MCDP, age 77, went peacefully home to God on March 5, 2026, at St. Francis Nursing Home in San Antonio, TX, on the same date of her birthday.

Sister Krysia was born to George Pillon and Joan Bandyk on March 5, 1949, in Memphis, TN, and baptized as Christine on April 14, 1956, at Church of the Annunciation, Havelock, NC.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and three brothers - Robert, Rev. Gordon, and John. Sister Krysia is survived by her sister, Kathleen Pillon.

Sister Krysia, formerly a religious in a Carmelite Order, entered the Missionary Catechists of Divine Providence (MCDP), in San Antonio on January 22, 1996. She made her Triennial vows on August 30, 2003, at St. Andrew's Convent in San Antonio.

Sister Krysia requested that her MCDP community not submit an obituary because she did not want her life to be featured as extraordinary. She asked for a simple funeral service. Her request will be honored by placing a focus on what St. Paul says about human accomplishments rather than on her extensive background. We express gratitude to God for blessing her with the gifts needed in her profession as an educator and administrator to do God's work.

St. Paul:  Ephesians 2:8-9

"For it is by grace you have been saved through faith,

and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,

not by works, so that no one can boast."

"By redirecting the focus from self to Christ, boasting in Christ cultivates a spirit of humility and dependence on God. It acknowledges that all good things come from Him and that any personal achievements are ultimately the result of His work in and through us."

Sister Krysia's assignments were in schools in different places in Texas. Her last mission was at St. Pius V Parish in Pasadena, TX, as a teacher and then the principal of the parish school.

Our community's foundress, Sister Mary Benitia Vermeersch, CDP, was also an educator at OLG Church parish school in the 1930's in Houston and then assigned as the principal of the school.  At that time, her missionary zeal reached out beyond her assignment, to families and their children who were refugees of the Mexican Revolution. Her resourcefulness provided them with food, clothing and shelter; she recruited 8th grade girls from the school to serve as catechists to provide sacramental preparation. She made it possible for some of the children to attend the parish school as well. Her project caught the attention of Church leaders, long story short, on February 7, 1946, 80 years ago, the Missionary Catechists received approval from Rome as a filial adjunct of the Congregation of Divine Providence, and their autonomy in 1989.

Every religious congregation of women and men has its courageous history in their response to God's call. We are grateful for all the women, past and present, who continue the legacy of Sister Benitia: compassion for the poor and neglected, which is addressed with social services, catechesis, education, and evangelization. Sister Krysia's vocation found its place with the God-given gifts she received throughout her life, beginning within her own family. Her trust in Divine Providence blessed her until the end of her journey as are all people who place their trust in a loving and merciful God that provides for all of creation.

The Missionary Catechists of Divine Providence and their MCDP Associates offer their condolences and gratitude to the Pillon family, to the Seraphic Sisters of St. Francis Nursing Home, to the Congregation of Divine Providence of McCullough and Regan nursing facilities, and to their staffs/employees, for the years of care they provided to Sister Krysia. Our gratitude extends to past employers, to the friends who kept in contact with her throughout the years, especially to those who visited her daily/frequently in the months of her grave illness, and those who accompanied her in her last moments of life.

Sister Krysia will be fondly remembered by everyone who knew her. She often shared wonderful stories about her former students. Several came to visit her with children of their own throughout her retirement years at St. Andrew's Convent and nursing facilities. These stories you can share amongst those she knew. Indeed, she went home to God with much gratitude to return to God for what was his to give her.

Services will be held at the same address and date:

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Our Lady of the Lake Annunciation Chapel

603 SW 24th Street

Viewing: 8:30 AM

Rosary: 9:00 AM

Mass: 10:00 AM

Interment: San Fernando #2 - 746 Castroville Rd.

Reception: Our Lady of the Lake - Regan Center

We, the Missionary Catechists of Divine Providence,

are a community of predominantly Hispanic consecrated women religious.

Rooted in Providence, we are dedicated to living

and proclaiming the Gospel.

Graced with the missionary zeal of Sister Benitia Vermeersch, CDP,

our foundress, we unite our joys and sufferings

with the Paschal Mystery of Jesus.

We minister to the people who are poor, immigrant,

and marginalized, especially the Hispanic population.

Cultivating joy and gratitude as expressed in our Hispanic culture,

we celebrate life with all people.

God's love impels us to love one another by respecting

and embracing the giftedness and vulnerability of others.