Sister Dorothy Zimny, age 99, a Sister of Providence for 80 years, died March 23, 2016, at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, Wash. Vigil Service: Wednesday, March 30, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.; and Funeral Mass: Thursday, March 31, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., both at Mount St. Joseph in Spokane, Wash. Burial followed at Holy Cross Cemetery, Spokane, after Mass and reception. Holy Cross Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Elizabeth Zimny was born January 27, 1917, to Andrew and Elizabeth Zimny, in Melrose Park, Illinois. When she was nine months old the family moved to Spokane, Washington. She was the youngest of four children. In 1918 her mother and one brother died during the flu epidemic. Dorothy entered the Sisters of Providence in July 1935 at Mount St. Vincent, Seattle, Wash. On July 19, 1937, she professed first vows and received the name Sister Margaret Yvonne, and on July 19, 1940, she professed final vows.
Sister Dorothy’s first ministry was teaching: Montana, Great Falls – St. Thomas Home and St. Gerard School; in Missoula – St. Francis Xavier School, and Sacred Heart Academy; Washington, Sprague – St. Joseph Academy, Colfax – St. John Academy; and Idaho, Wallace – Our Lady of Lourdes Academy.
In 1951, Sr. Dorothy received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from the College of Great Falls, Montana. In 1967 she received a Bachelor of Science degree in medical record library science from Seattle University, and a Registered Medical Records Certification from Providence Hospital, Seattle, Washington.
From 1955-78 her ministry was in health care services where she held numerous positions as bookkeeper, admissions clerk, medical records department head, librarian, consultant, chronicler, receptionist and secretary in Washington: Colfax – St. Ignatius Hospital and Whitman Community Hospital; Spokane – Sacred Heart Medical Center; Walla Walla -Saint Mary Hospital; and Seattle – Providence Medical Center. In 1978 Sr. Dorothy had various administrative roles at Mount St. Joseph’s Provincial Administration office in Spokane until she retired at age 80. She enjoyed doing arts and crafts decorating, crossword puzzles, calligraphy, crocheting, and embroidery, while reading, writing letters for the sisters, keeping in touch with family, relatives, and friends, and sharing cherished time together. In 2012, Dorothy moved to St. Joseph Residence, Seattle.
Sr. Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents and three siblings. She is survived by nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057-9016.
To view Sr. Dorothy’s obituary and picture and to sign her memory book, please visit the Web site for Bonney-Watson Funeral Home at bonneywatson.com.
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