Women Honorees

Sister Honorees

Sister Rose Ann Bacak †

Honored by Jack and Georgie Gibbs

The Bacak family was a prominent family in St. Elizabeth’s Parish in Alice, Texas, in the 1950’s. I went to school with the Bacak children at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic School, staffed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame at that time. Rose Ann was two years ahead of me in school, and her brothers, James and Hank, were before and after me. I remember Rose Ann was an excellent student, a very pretty girl, and active in church. Her sister, Barbara, was several years younger and the baby of the family, and also a very pretty girl, and favorite with the sisters.

Sister Gail Buckman

Honored by St. Gabriel ~ Women at the Well

On the 90th Anniversary of St. Gabriel the Archangel School, we want to honor Sister Gail Buckman, who retired in 2024 after having served as band director for 27 years. Sister Gail, always smiling, could be found not only in the band room, but also on the playground and as a crossing guard greeting the students. Sister Gail was the last of the 147 SSND educators who taught at St. Gabriel over 9 decades. St. Gabriel owes a debt of gratitude to the School Sisters of Notre Dame who devoted their lives to helping generations of students reach their potential, both academically and by guiding their faith lives.

Sister Carol Jean Dust

Honored by Patti Brock and Rae Ann Keilty

“In all may God be our goal and end, our highest good, in Whom we find all that makes us content and truly happy”. Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger

For 60 plus years Sister Carol Jean Dust, SSND (Dusty), has been one of our closest friends and we have witnessed her live this quote lovingly, faithfully and consistently. This has been true whether her ministry called her to be an elementary or secondary teacher, a Missionary to Honduras, or a coordinator of religious education. In addition to serving as General Council member or serving the Central Pacific Province as Chairperson of the SSND Ministry Commission or serving on the Vocations Team for North America… God, and God alone has been Dusty’s goal.

Dusty has touched many lives, from near and far! How blessed we are to know her as a sister in community, as a family member, as a friend, or as a former student. She challenges us to be faith-filled, hope-filled and love-filled PEOPLE.

Thank you, Dear Dusty!

Sister Ruth Emke

Honored by Mary Emke

Ruth knew her calling at a very young age. (I have to admit to the joy of having my own room when she joined the sisters at the age of 14.) Her service to God and others has taken her to many places around the globe. She taught young minds from Los Angeles to Sierra Leone, West Africa. Her passion, though, is ministry which she has managed to do, in small ways and large, wherever she’s been. Through it all, she has remained grounded in faith and family. As her then very young niece, upon hearing her called “Sister Ruth”, chimed, “She’s just Ruthie!” So proud to be her sister.

Sister Alene Faul †

Honored by The Pawlowicz Sisters: Stephanie Vergara, Madonna Emht and Geralyn Gossett

Some memories of the loveable, unforgettable Sister Alene Faul ~

Her sense of joy peppered with an adorable dash of impishness;

Her unself-conscious great big belly-shaking laugh;

Her persistent yet gentle push for students to have the courage to think and act outside the box;

Her uncanny sense of our innate abilities & encouragement to try new things (think debate team);

Her boundless love of theater & drama; noteworthy was her ability to include a student’s personal talent into a production (think roller skaters, baton twirlers);

Her love of language and her continual desire to learn, e.g. off she went to get her doctorate, coif & wimple blowing in the wind no doubt;

Her community outreach – not only was she involved with adult learning, but courageously introducing new topics, e.g. the Silva Mind Control Method at Blow School!

What a gal!

Sister Patricia Gravemann

Honored by Joan C. Harris

In honor of my dear cousin who generates happiness in the spiritual experience of living every day with love, grace, and gratitude. She is very inspiring to all around her!

Sister Jo Donna Grimes †

Honored by Peter M. Rohrich III, PMR Law

The flame may go out, but the light stays bright forever. On December 29, 2007, Sister Jo Donna Grimes answered our Lord’s call, and I am humbled to have the opportunity to honor her life and legacy. No matter what age we are, we all have memories of a favorite teacher or school administrator who impacted our lives in a positive way. Sister Jo Donna was that for me. While attending St. Martin of Tours grade school, I had the opportunity to learn many life lessons from Sister Jo Donna who was the acting principal.

I am fully aware that some of these life lessons came as I treaded hot water and while I am certain tested her patience at times. Sister Jo Donna was always willing to give me and other students a second chance, and as I recall, sometimes a third, fourth or fifth chance. While demonstrating keen leadership skills, her compassion for inspiring others, especially the children she taught, created an environment for kids to grow, learn and flourish under her leadership.

Today I am proud to say that Sister Jo Donna made me a better person and left the world a treasured place for students like me and the countless lives she touched.

Sister Kathryn Hoener †

Honored by Dr. Margaret Sullivan, PhD

Someone we’ll always treasure in our hearts.

Sister Clarea Hotze †

Honored by Jack and Georgie Gibbs

Sister Clarea taught 7th and 8th grade at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic School in Alice, Texas, in the last 1950’s. I attended her classes in 1953-54 and 1954-55. She was a very inspirational teacher and expected the best from her students. She was a joyful and cheerful person, but a strict disciplinarian. She gave me the love of learning and the mastery of good study habits that carried me easily through public high school, college and later in life. Aside from my parents, Sister Clarea was the first major influence on my life.

Sister Rosemary Hufker †

Honored by Gerry Hufker

In memory of my big sister who meant so much to the family and to the SSND. We are grateful for all the work that she has done.

Sister Linda Jansen

Honored by Carol Jean Tilley

The lady I chose to honor today is not affected by riches…
she has never desired to pile up treasures on earth …
‘cause she knows that sparkling diamonds and colored stones do not last, but laying up treasure in Heaven will satisfy a person for all eternity.

Sister Linda Jansen came to Notre Dame College as a Postulant in 1959. There she studied business courses and became known for her keen sense of organization and teamwork. The years flew by and in 1963, Sister Linda was missioned to her first assignment. When stationed to Ripa some years later, she learned of the broader challenges that go with the daily demands of Sisters throughout the Community. She became a much-desired community member and she was often called upon to organize activities, prepare newsletter contributions, and assist with preparing budgets and projections for the future.

While at Ripa during her current assignment, Linda kept in close touch with the Novitiate/Profession “Class of ’63.” This meant that Linda sent out a regular newsletter, carrying news of Jubilees, awards and recognitions, requests for prayers, and notices of a classmate’s passing. She did this all with love and compassion. We deeply appreciate Linda’s quiet and loving style and look forward to her ongoing communications with us.

Sister Philip Marie Link †

Honored by The Honorable Andrew J. Gleeson

The years have steadily and methodically moved on. Holy Angels Parish, East St. Louis, IL, is a distant and yet poignant memory, of which the School Sisters of Notre Dame are an integral part. They were the “presence” in our school life and parish activities, and none more prominent that Sister Philip Marie Link.

Sister Philip Marie was the principal for the majority of my time there as a student. The school had an enrollment of 550-600 students, sixteen teachers (of which approximately half were SSND) and staff all supervised by Sister Philip Marie. And the school ran like clockwork!

As I reflect on Sister Philip Marie’s presence at Holy Angels, I recognize and appreciate that she was an exceptional administrator whose mission was to create the absolute best Catholic learning environment possible. Thank you, Sister Philip Marie Link for a job well done!

Sister Mary Anne Owens

Honored by Mel Bangs

I would like to honor Sister Mary Anne Owen and her work with the Catholic Housing Initiative (CHI) in Dallas. The mission of CHI is to ensure low- to moderate-income seniors, families, individuals, and the communities most vulnerable, the homeless, have access to a safe, welcoming community with amenities that support a high quality of life. Since 2017, CHI has partnered with the City of Dallas, the County of Dallas, Catholic Charities and others to provide 500 permanent homes for the chronically homeless. The impact Sister has made and continues to make in Dallas is substantial and sustaining.

Sister Dolores Shea †

Honored by Jean Buchana, SSND Associate

Sister Dolores was my mentor in guiding me as I studied to be a School Sisters of Notre Dame associate. She was always gentle and kind. We remained friends while she lived at Sancta Maria in Ripa, St. Louis, and at The Sarah Community, Bridgeton, Missouri. I miss her.

Sister Karl Mary Winkelmann

Honored by Marty Hoormann Campbell, Rosary High School, Class of 1970

Many times, in my life, I have found myself saying that I was raised by the SSNDs. I had the privilege of having them as my teachers in both grade school and high school. Although many of the sisters influenced various facets of who I became, only one in particular do I consider to be a pillar of my life.

Sister Karl Mary Winkelmann, SSND, significantly contributed to my foundation of beliefs and played a major role in my life choices.

At Rosary High School, Sister Karl Mary was not only my freshman homeroom teacher, but my Latin teacher as well. I was blessed again in my junior year to have her as my Theology teacher, maybe called Religion in high school. In senior year she was assigned as my guidance counselor. She utilized each of these opportunities to teach all of us, by word and example, how to live by our faith as kind, caring, and thoughtful individuals. Because of her gift of listening and insight, she helped guide me to a very fulfilling career as a physical therapist which I knew nothing about before her advice and encouragement. I believe that it is because of Sister Karl Mary that I was so happy in my chosen career.

I would not be the person I am without the great influence and example of Gospel living that I have received from her. Thank you, Sister Karl Mary, not only for your life-long friendship, but especially for teaching me faith in action. I will be forever grateful.