17 November 1923 – 5 April 2021
Sister Dorothy Marie Byrne (Sister Dolores), age 97, a Sister of Providence for 76 years, died April 5, 2021, at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane, Wash.
Sister Dorothy Byrne, SP was born in Lothair, Mont. on November 17, 1923 to John L. Byrne and Minnie C. (Greiner) Byrne. She and her brother Fr. Joseph Byrne were raised in Kevin, Mont., and she attended public school there. She attended the Ursuline Academy in Great Falls, Mont. for four years and graduated from the Academy.
Following a year at the College of Great Falls (now, University of Providence), Sister Dorothy went to work for the Boeing Company in Seattle, Wash. during World War II. In 1943 she entered the Sisters of Providence at the advice and encouragement of Fr. Charles Suver, S.J. In 1945, Sister Dorothy made first profession and her final vows in 1948.
Sister Dorothy earned a BA in Social Science from College of Great Falls, Great Falls, Mont. (1954), a MA in History from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Wash. (1962), and a MRE (Masters in Religious Education) from Seattle University, Seattle, Wash. (1974).
Her many ministry assignments included teaching and/or administration at various schools to include: St. Francis Xavier School, Missoula, Mont. (1947-49, 1954-56); St. Raphael School, Glasgow, Mont. (1949-53) (Sister Dorothy was one of the foundresses of St. Raphael School); St. Gerard School, Great Falls, Mont. (1953-54); Sacred Heart Academy, principal and teacher, Missoula, Mont. (1963-64). She was local superior of the College of Great Falls, Great Falls, Mont. (1964-67). From 1972-2007, Sister Dorothy held a variety of positions in the Diocese of Spokane and local parishes in Spokane, Washington, as well as serving on many boards.
In 1988, Sister Dorothy experienced the great joy of attending the canonization in Rome of a distant cousin, Father Agustine Schoeffler.
Sister Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Father Joseph Byrne.
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