Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 1/7/2001

Sister M. Dorothea Dolan

Feb. 9, 1924 - Jan. 5, 2001

Sister M. Dorothea (Mary Elizabeth Dolan), 76, was born in Clyman, Wis., on Feb. 9, 1924, daughter of Walter Dolan and Eleanor Simon Dolan.

Sister died on Friday, Jan. 5, and is survived by her two sisters, Margaret Dolan and Jeanie (Gene) Brennan, both of Watertown, Wis.; and nephews, William Brennan of Willsonville, Ore., and Jerry Brennan of Watertown.

Before Sister M. Dorothea entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, she worked in the office of the Village Blacksmith, Watertown, Wis. She entered the Congregation on July 26, 1945, and made first vows on Feb. 2, 1948. Sister began her teaching ministry at Saint Mary's School, Michigan City, Ind., in 1948. She was assigned principal and teacher at Sacred Heart School, Fort Wayne, Ind., 1951 to 1963. Sister was assigned to Saint Patrick's School, Ripon, Wis., in 1963, and spent six years teaching at that school. She returned to Indiana to teach at Saint Thomas the Apostle in Elkhart, 1969, and Notre Dame School, Michigan City, 1970. Sister was named principal and teacher at Saint Mary's School, Woodstock, Ill., in 1971, and then assigned to teach the intermediate grades at Saint Patrick's School, Danville, Ill. 1977-1986 she went to Saint Mary's School, Niles, Mich., to teach in the intermediate department. Sister returned to Danville, Ill., to be school secretary for Holy Family School, 1986 to 1988.

Sister Dorothea earned her bachelor of science degree in elementary education at Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Ind., 1962, and her master's in education, administration and supervision from Loyola University, Chicago, Ill., 1968.

Sister Dorothea retired to Our Lady of Holy Cross Convent in 1988, and acted as community treasurer. She moved to Saint Mary's Convent in 1994, and was active in the ministry of prayer and visiting the other sisters in the convent until her sudden and unexpected death.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN 46556.

Wake service will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, followed by interment at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame.

The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.