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July 12, 2024The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie wish to announce that Sister Dorothy Regan transitioned peacefully into the heart of God on June 14, 2024. Sister Dorothy was born in South Bend, Indiana to Agnes (Flanagan) and Alvin Regan (both deceased), the third of ten siblings. She is predeceased by her siblings and their spouses: Fred (Anne), Patrick, Kay (Donny, deceased) Millet, Tom, Bob, Noreen (Barney, deceased) Hughes, Ida May (Jean) Loranger. She is survived by Mary (Howard, deceased) Hill and Sue (Ernie) Primeau, and many nieces and nephews.
Dorothy entered the Congregation of The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie on September 7, 1951, from Christ the King Parish, Sudbury.
Following her novitiate, Dorothy served in health care in the admitting, personnel, and business offices of St. Joseph’s Hospital, North Bay, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Thunder Bay, Sudbury General Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital, Little Current.
From 1966-1968 Dorothy’s new secretarial assignment at St. Joseph’s Boarding School, Thunder Bay introduced her to Indigenous culture. It was here that she felt a strong call to minister with Canada’s First Nations people. A seed was planted in the heart of Dorothy - a life changing moment.
From 1971-1993 Dorothy, with her good friend Sister Pat Hassett ministered along side the Jesuits in Wiikemikoong, Little Current, M’Chigeeng (West Bay), Sagamok and Espanola. Dorothy describes this ministry experience as “most rewarding…I developed a keener appreciation and love of creation”. With the Jesuits on the mission team we started a Ministries Program to train Indigenous women and men who later ministered in their own churches as Deacons and Diocesan Order of Women. It was during this time that the Jesuits built the Anishinabe Spiritual Centre along with Indigenous Leaders and Sisters Dorothy & Pat. In 1998-2001 Dorothy was appointed Director of the Centre by the Jesuits. “This was a proud moment as the Centre and this work was a loved ministry for me”. During this time the Jesuits invited Dorothy to sit on their Mission Team Board (a first for women).
1994-1998 Dorothy was elected to the Congregational leadership team while continuing to live and minister in Espanola. “I soon learned that everything is in God’s plan and I will always be grateful for being allowed to do this ministry and for saying “yes” to it”.
In 2001 Sister Dorothy with her good friend Sister Pat “retired” to St. Joseph’s Residence, Sudbury where they continued to serve in volunteer ministry.
Dorothy appreciated being able to spend time with her two younger sisters Sue and Ida May and their families.
Sister Dorothy retired to the Motherhouse in 2019, where she served as local leader and continued to care and be present to others especially her dear friend Sister Pat Hassett.
Sister Dorothy is remembered for her kindness, gentleness, and presence to others.
Sister Dorothy will be received at St. Joseph’s Motherhouse at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 with a Prayer Vigil at 4:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Motherhouse, Sacred Heart Chapel on Thursday, June 27, 2024 beginning with closing prayers at 10:50 a.m. followed by Liturgy at 11:00 a.m.
Expressions of sympathy or donations to the works of the Congregation in memory of Sister Dorothy may be made at https://csjssm.ca/contact-us
Online condolences can be made at www.hillsidefuneral.ca
Sister Dorothy rest in peace.
(The obituary was first published at Sudbury.com)