Jubilarians
BVM Sisters Celebrate Jubilees
Thirty-three Sisters of Charity, BVM will celebrate jubilee anniversaries this year:
- Seven sisters celebrate 75 years in religious life on Sunday, Sept. 12, at a liturgy at Mount Carmel. They entered the BVM congregation on Sept. 8, 1935. All are now retired at Mount Carmel.
- Twenty-four sisters celebrate 50 years in religious life on Sunday, July 18, at a liturgy at Mount Carmel. They entered the BVM congregation on July 31, 1960.
- Two sisters celebrate 25 years in religious life on Sunday, July 18, at a liturgy at Mount Carmel. They entered the BVM congregation on July 16, 1985.
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75 Years: Sister Ann Regina Dobel is a native of Kansas City, Mo. She was an educator and administrator and also served in parish ministry. In Chicago, she was an elementary school teacher. She was a secondary school teacher in Milwaukee, Wis.; Burlington, Iowa; and Boulder, Colo. She was a superior/principal in Boulder and San Francisco, Calif. She also served as a parish minister in Phoenix, Ariz. Sister Ann says, “I especially enjoyed my years teaching at Holy Angels Academy in Milwaukee and at Burlington Catholic High School in Burlington. I even played basketball with some of the students who were practicing for intramurals and I also played tennis.” Sister Ann misses the climate of Phoenix during the Iowa winter months.
75 Years: Sister Frances Dolan (Franciscus) was born in Chicago, Ill., and was a music teacher, professor and a music/liturgy coordinator. In Chicago, she was a teacher and professor at Carmel High School, Mundelein College and Loyola University; and a music/liturgy coordinator at Wright Hall. She taught music for 10 years at Xavier High School in St. Louis, Mo. Sister Frances was also a music educator in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Pasadena and Glendale, Calif.; and Milwaukee, Wis. Her favorite ministries were Holy Angels Academy and Carmel High School. “At Carmel, our choir went around and sang for the wounded servicemen,” she shares. At 93 years young, Sister Frances says the secret to longevity is hard work. “Three years ago, I was still teaching singing to Jesuit seminarians while at Wright Hall.”
75 Years: Sister Charlotte Ann Esch was born in Winfield, Kan. She was an educator and served in parish ministry. She was an elementary teacher in San Jose and San Francisco, Calif.; Missoula, Mont.; Omaha, Neb.; and Kauai, Hawaii. Sister Charlotte also served in parish ministry and did volunteer work in San Francisco.
75 Years: Sister (St.) Eileen Gallen is a native of San Francisco, Calif. An educator and administrator, she was a teacher in Chicago, Ill.; Des Moines, Iowa; Petaluma and San Francisco, Calif.; Kauai, Hawaii; and Phoenix, Ariz. Sister Eileen was also principal/superior, registrar and librarian in Phoenix, Ariz., and a principal/superior in Wichita, Kan. And she is not retired yet! Sister Eileen has ministered for over 40 years in Phoenix. “I love it,” she says. She now works as library assistant in the library at Xavier College Preparatory High School. “I enjoy my work and meet many nice people,” she shares. “The faculty and students here are wonderful.”
75 Years: Sister Julia Clare Greene was born in Chicago, Ill.,and served as an educator and administrator. She taught in Chicago; Milwaukee, Wis.; Kansas City and St. Louis, Mo.; Wichita, Kan.; Burbank, Calif.; and Mason City and Burlington, Iowa. Sister Julia Clare was a financial aid officer and assistant director at Mundelein College in Chicago, and director of student finance at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa.
75 Years: Sister Margaret Irene Healy was born in Wichita, Kan., and served as an educator and administrator. She taught in Chicago, Ill.; Kansas City, Mo.; Milwaukee, Wis.; and Santa Ana, Calif. In Chicago, Sister Margaret was an alumnae coordinator at the Immaculata, and an educational administrator, Director of NCATE Study and Government Relations, and resident/development volunteer at Mundelein College. "I have loved every place that I've ministered," Sister Margaret Irene says. "Both of my parents were taught by BVMs. I attended Mount Carmel Academy in Wichita, and grew up knowing that I was going to become a BVM."
75 Years: Sister Mary Faith Lautz was born in Dickinson, N. D., and was an educator and administrator. She also worked in pastoral ministry. She taught in Fairbanks, Alaska; Santa Clara, Calif.; Wichita, Kan.; Chicago, Ill.; and Milwaukee, Wis. Sister Mary Faith was a school principal in Phoenix, Ariz., and Kansas City, Mo. She was also an administrator and pastoral associate in Anchorage, Alaska, and Dubuque, Iowa. "I especially liked my ministry in Alaska, in Holy Cross, where I lived in the village and did pastoral work," says Sister Mary Faith. A native of Milwaukee, she enjoyed her 12 years of teaching at Holy Angels Academy, her girlhood school. Of her 75 years as a BVM, she adds, "I think of it as a great privilege. The community has been good to me and I have many dear friends."
75 Years: Sister Carolita McMahon is a native of Chicago, Ill. She was an educator and taught in Chicago and Cicero, Ill.; Kansas City, Mo.; Burbank and Santa Barbara, Calif.; and Burlington and Washington, Iowa. "I had always thought of becoming a teacher," says Sister Carolita. "And now, I'm happy right here where I am. I have a ministry and mission. When new people come to Mount Carmel, I sing them a little song and give them a hug, so they feel special and loved." Her motto on longevity: "Keep going and keep people happy."
50 Years: Sister Rita M. Basta (James Celeste) was born in St. Paul, Minn. She has been an educator and spiritual minister in California from 1965–present. She taught high school and served in campus and adult ministry in Burbank and Tujunga. Since 1987, she has been a math professor at Cal State University. Sister Rita has also been active in congregational service since 1969.
50 Years: Sister Carol Marie Baum (Joseph Louis) is a native of Keokuk, Iowa, and has served as an educator and administrator. She was an elementary school teacher in Chicago and Maywood, Ill.; Davenport, Iowa; and San Francisco, Calif. She was a coordinator, administrator and congregational employee in Des Moines and Dubuque, Iowa. She has also been active in congregational service since 1997 and is currently on sabbatical. “Teaching young children just beginning their educational journey and knowledge of God was a privilege and genuine source of joy for me,” Sister Carol shares. “My second career in senior housing has given me fond memories and experiences that continue to enrich my life.”
50 Years: Sister Carol Blitgen (John Carol) was born in Bellevue, Iowa, and has been an educator since 1963. She briefly taught high school in Chicago, Ill., and has been a speech/drama professor at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, since 1963. “I’ve spent 47 years teaching and directing plays at Clarke,” says Sister Carol. “And there’s still some teaching and directing ahead of me!”
50 Years: Sister Kathleen Conway (Richard Marie) was born in Seattle, Wash., but is a "native" of St. Paul, Minn., where she grew up.
She has served as an educator, hospital and hospice chaplain, and in pastoral ministry. In Chicago, she taught at Cathedral High School and Mundelein College, and was hospital and hospice chaplain at Loyola Medical Center. She was also an educator in St. Paul, Minn.; director of admissions at Mount Carmel and Wright Hall; and resident chaplain, congregational representative and congregational employee in Brookfield, Ill.
Sister Kathleen has enjoyed all her ministries, but says, “My pastoral work in Nuevo Mundo in Guayaquil, Ecuador, holds a special place in my heart.” She has been very active in service to the BVM congregation since 1969. Currently she is a congregational representative. “I have loved collaborating with such fine women about issues that deeply touch our BVM way of life.”
50 Years: Sister Jacquelyn Cramer (John Kathleen) was born in Chicago, Ill., and has been an educator, counselor and volunteer. She has served as a teacher, counselor and congregational employee in Dubuque and Sioux City, Iowa; Clarksdale, Miss.; Athens, Ohio; and Memphis, Tenn. She has also been a volunteer and campaign writer in Kumasi, Ghana, and Memphis, Tenn. She has been active in congregational service since 1978. “My favorite ministries were in Clarksdale, Memphis and Kumasi,” says Sister Jacquelyn. “I have loved each of the 50 years and all of the experiences I’ve had as a BVM. Being a Sister of Charity means . . . my home, my family, and my way to God.”
50 Years: Sister Ann DeLeeuw (Charles Ann) is a native of New York, N.Y., and has been an educator and medical secretary. She taught elementary school in Omaha, Neb. and Stockton and San Francisco, Calif. From 1970–present, she has served as teacher, medical secretary and medical records coder in Phoenix, Ariz., where she works at St. Joseph Hospital.
50 Years: Sister Judith Dewell (John Marie) is a native of Clinton, Iowa, and has been an educator from 1965–present. In Chicago, she was music teacher at Mundelein College and associate professor of music at Loyola University. She also taught at St. Joseph Academy in Des Moines, Iowa. Since 2007, Sister Judith has been an adjunct professor at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, and is now a volunteer at Mount Carmel Motherhouse. She served on the congregation’s Higher Education Commission from 1973–75. Sister Judith enjoyed the teaching of music. “I loved trying to figure out how students think, how they make sense of it,” she says. “Through music, students gain self-confidence and begin to claim their personal gifts.”
50 Years: Sister Mary Donahey (Thomas Daniel) was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and has been an educator since 1963. In Chicago, Ill., she was a theology teacher and associate professor at Mundelein College, and associate and senior professor at Loyola University. Sister Mary has been a resident of Wright Hall from 1991–present, where she currently serves as treasurer. She has been active in congregational service from 1968–present.
50 Years: Sister Dorothy M. Dwight is a native of San Diego, Calif., and has been a music educator since 1965. In Chicago, she was music teacher at The Immaculata, Mundelein College and Loyola University. Sister Dorothy has been a resident and volunteer at Wright Hall since 2007. She serves as liturgical musician and catechist at Loyola and St. Nicholas Parish in Evanston. “One of my greatest joys is combining music with liturgy,” she says. She has also been active in congregational service from 1991–2007.
50 Years: Sister Bette Gambonini (Esther Mary) was born in Petaluma, Calif. She has served as a music educator in San Francisco, parish liturgist and musician in West Hempstead, NY, Gilroy and San Jose, CA. In 1998 she became the Associate for Liturgy for the San Jose Diocese. She also was in BVM Community services as Admissions Director from 1983-89, and in regional leadership for the West Region. She says, “Little did I realize when I left Petaluma, Calif. that the next 50 years would find me ministering from coast to coast. Living, working, praying and playing with BVMs have inspired and motivated me–as we share a spirit of freedom, hospitality, charity and joy."
50 Years: Sister Margaret Geraghty (St. Cabrini) is a native of Chicago, Ill., and has been an educator and administrator. In Chicago, she was a teacher at St. Mary High School; principal at Carmel and St. Benedict high schools; and director of placement for student teaching at Dominican University. She was also an educator, principal and administrator in Lincoln, Neb.; Boulder, Colo.; St. Louis, Mo.; Phoenix, Ariz.; and Fond du lac and South Milwaukee, Wis. Sister Margaret is currently a congregational representative. “Being a BVM has been a rich journey,” she shares. “I can’t imagine a life with more blessings or deeper happiness.” Her years at Carmel High School were especially memorable. “I saw a generation of students learn and grow into young adults. The many experiences I had with them are treasured memories.”
50 Years: Sister Jean Gordon (James Miriam) was born in Glendale, Calif. and is an educator and administrator. She taught school and was principal in Pasadena, Tujunga and Burbank, Calif. Since 1987, Sister Jean has worked as a congregational employee at the BVM center, where everyone looks forward to sampling her homemade chocolate and peanut butter candy. She has been director of human resources for the past eleven years at Mount Carmel. Each winter, she eagerly anticipates the first snowfall.
50 Years: Sister C. Jean Hayen (Catherine Jean) is a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and has been an educator and administrator. She has also served in pastoral ministry and as a volunteer. She taught at Mary Queen of Heaven in Cicero, Ill. In Iowa, she taught in Cedar Falls and Davenport, and at St. Anthony School in Dubuque from 1979-87. Sister Jean has ministered in administration, pastoral care, and volunteer services in Dubuque, and been a congregational employee at Mount Carmel since 1996. She has also taught and practiced T’ai Chi Chih for over a dozen years. “I feel that it is a gift to all who participate in it,” she says. As Sister Jean looks back over the years, she adds, “Each ministry has been enriching and challenging. A special joy for me was science teaching and developing a ‘hands-on’ science curriculum for grade school students in Davenport and Dubuque.”
50 Years: Sister Agnes Marie Keena (Richard Agnes) was born in St. Louis, Mo., and is an educator and administrator. She taught elementary school in Wichita, Kan. From 1970–2000, she has been a teacher and principal primarily in St. Louis. Currently, she is principal at Sacred Heart School in St. Mary, Mo. Certified in Synergistic-Whole Brain Learning, Sister Agnes has been in education for 45 years. She says, “I love it. Each day brings many surprises! Mary Frances Clarke told her sisters to ‘listen to the voices of the children.’ I listen each day and each day God is revealed to me in some most exciting ways.” She has also been active in congregational service since 2001. “I treasure each time I gather with a group of BVMs for Eucharist, prayer, discussion, a meal or a celebration.”
50 Years: Sister Nancy McCarthy (Josephine) is a native of Clinton, Iowa, and has been an educator in Council Bluffs, Des Moines and West Des Moines, Iowa. In Chicago, Ill., she taught at Carmel High School; was a special education/deaf education teacher at Holy Trinity Elementary School and Children of Peace ministry; an ESL teacher at Malcolm X College; a substitute teacher at the Adult Learning Center; and served in parish ministry at Blessed Sacrament. Sister Nancy has also been active in congregational service since 1982.
50 Years: Sister Mary Frances McLaughlin (Virginia) was born in Evanston, Ill., and has served as an educator and administrator. In Chicago, Ill., she was president of Carmel High School; development officer at Christ the King Jesuit College Preparatory High School; and served in university ministry at Loyola University. Sister Mary Frances was also an educator in St. Louis, Mo. and Dubuque, Iowa; and served in formation, campus, youth and parish ministry in Dubuque; Rock Island, Ill.; and West Lafayette and Indianapolis, Ind. She has been active in congregational service from 1971–2005.
50 Years: Sister Patricia Nooney (Ann Carol) is a native of Missoula, Mont., and has ministered as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, Ill., since 1971. She says, “Over the many years as a member of St. Mary Church in Evanston, I have been involved in a variety of ministries.” In retirement, Sister Patricia was a desk nurse for three years at St. Francis Nursing Rehabilitation Center, also in Evanston. Some of her most cherished memories include the stories she heard from her patients and their family members about their past BVM teachers.
50 Years: Sister Elizabeth Olsen (Paul Thomas) was born in Butte, Mont., and has served as an educator, hospital chaplain and in parish ministry. She taught in Sacramento and Stockton, Calif.; Missoula, Mont.; and Seattle, Wash. Sister Elizabeth worked in parish ministry and as hospital chaplain in Wolf Point and Missoula, Mont.; and as hospital chaplain in Monroe, Wis. She has been active in congregational service from 1993–2006, and is currently chaplain at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.
50 Years: Sister Patricia Peach (Janet Irene) is a native of Los Angeles, Calif., and has been an educator in Kansas City and St. Louis, Mo.; Portland, Ore.; and San Francisco and Los Angeles, Calif. She says, “I’ve loved teaching and been very happy at all the schools where I’ve taught. Two schools in southern California that are very special to me are Verbum Dei High School, and Pasadena City College—where I now teach.” Sister Patricia has been active in congregational service since 1994. “I am grateful to God for my religious vocation and to have spent these many years with my BVM sisters.”
50 Years: Sister Anna Priester (Joseph Ann) was born in Los Angeles, Calif., and has been an educator and served in parish ministry. She taught in Des Moines, Iowa; Quito, Ecuador; and Phoenix, Ariz. She worked in parish ministry in Phoenix, and for the past 25 years, in Guatemala, S.A. Sister Anna says, “The people here in Guatemala have taught me what it means to live in faith, hope and charity. And my nine years of work with handicapped children in Phoenix is dear to my heart, because they taught me that small steps are important to reach a goal.” She has been active in congregational service from 2003–05. Looking back, Sister Anna reflects, “Whenever I have been in need, my BVM sisters have responded generously.”
50 Years: Sister Linda Quinones (Frances Jean) is a native of Kauai, Hawaii. She has ministered as sacristan, school secretary and in parish work. From 1980–2004, she served as bookkeeper in Fremont, Union City and Hayward, Calif. Since 2004, she has lived in Kilauea, Hawaii, and volunteers in hospice and parish and senior centers. Sister Linda shares, “For me, a Sister of Charity is one chosen by God to bring Jesus’ and the Father’s word to all people she meets. I teach first communion class and help as a caregiver in my small town. I thank God for providing this opportunity to serve him in this special way.”
50 Years: Sister Elizabeth Seaman (Elizabeth Marie) was born in St. Louis, Mo., and has served as an educator and administrator. She taught in Chicago, Ill.; Butte, Mont.; and Des Moines, Iowa. In Missouri, she was a school principal in Independence; and teacher, principal, and administrative assistant in Kansas City. She has been on the staff of Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City since 1996.
50 Years: Sister Carol Ann Spiegel (Ann Carla) is a native of Dubuque, Iowa. She has served as an educator and in ministry. She was a high school teacher in Chicago, Ill., and St. Louis, Mo. In Dubuque, she taught at Clarke College from 1975–96. Sister Carol served in conflict resolution ministry in St. Paul, Minn., from 1997–2006. Active in congregational service since 1984, Sister Carol has been a congregational representative since 2006.
50 Years: Sister Marilyn K. Wilson was born in Springfield, Ill. She has served as an educator and in youth, formation and spiritual ministry. She taught in Phoenix, Ariz.; and Burbank, Glendale, Los Angeles and Montrose, Calif. Since 1980, Sister Marilyn has served primarily in California in many areas of ministry: campus/youth, retreat ministry, and adult spirituality ministry. She has been very active in congregational service since 1970. “Many of my cherished experiences have been working with other BVMs in ministry on prayer, liturgy, ritual, Senate planning, and justice/peace activities. The spirit of creativity and collaboration is vital to my mission and ministry.” Currently Sister Marilyn is a retreat facilitator in San Jose. “I am in a ‘new’ educational endeavor as a 4th grade teacher aide, which is a new learning experience with 21st century children! We’re never too old to learn!”
25 Years: Sister Lou Anglin is a native of Dubuque, Iowa. She is an educator and campus minister and currently a member of the Initial Membership Team. She was a teacher in Holy Trinity, Ala.; and from 1987–2006, she taught school and was a campus minister in St. Louis, Mo. Since 1996, Sister Lou has been very active in congregational service.
25 Years: Sister Therese Fassnacht was born in Mission Hills, Calif., and is an educator. In Chicago, Ill., she has taught at St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Pius elementary schools, and was music director at St. Francis Xavier Parish. From 2003–2005 she was a music instructor in Terre Haute, Ind. Currently Sister Therese is Director of Music at UCLA Catholic Center in Los Angeles, Calif.
Greetings may be sent to these Sisters at 1050 Carmel Dr., Dubuque, IA 52003.
For more information, contact:
Jody Iler
Communications Specialist
Sisters of Charity, BVM
1100 Carmel Dr.
Dubuque, IA 52003
563-588-2351
www.bvmcong.org
Sisters of Charity, BVM - 1100 Carmel Drive - Dubuque, Iowa 52003 - 563.588.2351