In Memoriam

Help us remember our sisters.

In death we say our ultimate human yes to God. Trusting in God’s power to bring us to the fullness of life, we conclude our earthly life with an act of worship: in the action of death we proclaim God as God, and ourselves as God’s creatures. We are called by God and sent by the community; we go in joy!

- You Are Sent, Constitution of the School Sisters of Notre Dame

In Memoriam: Sister Doris Kresslein

Music was always important to Doris. While teaching at IND, she would get free opera tickets for her students so they could study the opera in class and then attend the performance. Sister Doris instilled a lifelong love of classical music and opera in her students.

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In Memoriam: Sister Marjorie Helen Sutherland (Sister Hildie)

Sister Hildie’s life and IND are forever intertwined. For over 60 years, Sister was the heart of IND. Hildie’s deep sense of service led her and Hildie’s Helpers, the IND student outreach program, to provide food and clothing to those in need.

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In Memoriam: Sister Rose Mary Dougherty

Rose Mary was foremost a religious woman who became a teacher, writer, counselor and spiritual director. Her qualities of honesty and openness endeared her to others. Rose Mary was a woman of wisdom and gentle humility. She had a hunger for God and a deep sense of the spiritual.

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In Memoriam: Sister Mary Irving

Mary was an activist who spoke out for Catholic feminist theologians. She lobbied for full rights for women in the Church. She received the 1986 National Women’s Ordination Conference award as a prophetic figure who contributed to the enablement of women.

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In Memoriam: Sister Marie Sulpice Walsh

Sister Marie was amazing in her humanity and spirituality. She took time to notice others, understood their situation, was supportive and encouraging.

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In Memoriam: Sister Mary Bruce Wright

In 1955, Patricia entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame in the Milwaukee Motherhouse, where, as she wrote, “I came, I saw, and I WAS conquered!” She was received into the novitiate there in 1956, receiving the name Sister Mary Bruce.

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In Memoriam: Sister Helen Zettel (formerly Sister Claretta)

On August 22, 1961, Sister Helen was one of four SSND Canadian pioneers to depart for La Paz, Bolivia. For the next six years, she was director of St. Andrew School. She supported the people in rural communities in their struggle for justice and improved health and living conditions.

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In Memoriam: Sister Audrey Marie Mittelholtz

Sister Audrey Marie entered the candidature in September 1945 and was received in 1947 into the Novitiate as Novice Anthony Marie. The following year she professed her vows. She was especially attentive to the needs of others and was concerned that each person was treated fairly. She was a person of deep faith. When faced with a difficult situation, Sister Audrey Marie stated, “I get great strength by just saying the name of Jesus.”

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In Memoriam: Sister Mary Constance Baker

Sister Mary Constance was named in honor of a beloved aunt and professed her vows on July 27, 1963. Connie was a great friend. Her demeanor was inviting. She always had time for others, as evidenced by her many good friends.

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In Memoriam: Sister Celine Marie Flynn

When she was five, Mary Helen started first grade at St. Francis School in Union City, New Jersey. She wrote, “At first I was afraid of the ladies dressed in black and white, learning later that they were sisters…

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In Memoriam

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