Remembering Sisters Amata Dugan and Michael Ellen Green

This year has borne witness to the passing of 10 Sisters of Providence.

With only a handful of days before the dawn of 2017, we wanted to honor those sisters who have passed away.

Last week, we focused on the lives of Sister Regina Therese Shaughnessy and Sister Marilyn Rose Ginder. For this week, we will take a look at Sister Amata Dugan and Sister Michael Ellen Green.

This undated photo shows (from left) Sister Ann Clouser (RIP), Sister Eleanor Bussing (RIP), Sister Amata Dugan (RIP) and Sister Paul Marie Gutgsell (RIP) with Indy 500 driver Parnelli Jones.

Sister Amata was born Helen Therese Dugan on Oct. 5, 1930, in Indianapolis, to John and Marie Melvin Dugan.

Sister Amata entered the Congregation on Feb. 2, 1950. During her 66 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered for 28 years as a teacher in schools in Indiana, Illinois and California. She also ministered as a principal for seven of those years.

For 15 of those years, she ministered at St. Malachy in Brownsburg, as a teacher and principal.

In addition, Sister Amata ministered for 23 years at Maryvale Apartments, a residential facility for seniors located next to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. For one year, she ministered as a clerical assistant, and for the remaining 22 years, she was the manager.

Sister Amata Dugan

After leaving Maryvale, Sister Amata ministered in residential and health care services at the Motherhouse until devoting herself to the ministry of prayer in 2014.

Sister Ann Casper, who wrote the commentary for Sister Amata’s obituary, said she was an “avid Notre Dame fan.” According to the commentary, during an interview with a reporter for The Tribune-Star, Sister Amata said, “In fact, if any of those big wigs you know have any extra tickets …”

Sister Amata died on March 14, 2016.

Sister Michael Ellen Green was born Dorothy Ellen Green on July 22, 1929, in Indianapolis, to George and Dorothy Perkins Green.

(From left) Sister Ann Casper with Sister Michael Ellen Green and Sister Adele Beacham during Easter Sunday in June 1988.

Sister Michael Ellen entered the Congregation on Feb. 2, 1951. During her 65 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as a housekeeper and cook, including 12 years in convents in Indiana, Illinois and New Hampshire.

She also ministered on the housekeeping staff at Foley Hall from 1965-68, and at Providence Hall from 1968-80.

Following that, Sister Michael Ellen ministered as housekeeper and director of the Goodwin Guest House for seven years.

Sister Michael Ellen also ministered in physical therapy, as a phone room operator and in residential services. She committed herself to the ministry of prayer in 2009.

Sister Michael Ellen Green

According to the commentary for her obituary, Sister Ann Casper said many might remember Sister Michael Ellen as the sister who drove around campus in a golf cart, as it “became her personal trademark.

“She didn’t want it for her own use, but to take sisters in the infirmary or other residences out for rides around campus to show them the latest beauties of nature or to the lake to enjoy the cool breezes,” Sister Ann wrote.

Sister Ann also wrote that Sister Michael Ellen had two dogs, Foley and her Black Spaniel, Cindy.

Sister Michael Ellen died on May 5, 2016.

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