Sister Dorothy Ellen Wolsiffer
Sister Dorothy Ellen Wolsiffer passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026, at Providence Health Care. She was 94-years-old and had been a Sister of Providence for 76 years.
Commentary
By Sister Jan Craven, SP
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through the one who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Those words from John’s letter says it all … who will separate us … no one, nothing.
This beloved woman of faith and dedicated servant of others was born on December 1, 1931, in Indianapolis, to John and Lena Staub Wolsiffer.
Dorothy’s baptismal name was Helen Mae. She was the fourth of five children, with two brothers, James and John, and two sisters, Rosemary and Rita. All of her siblings preceded her in death.
Dorothy grew up during the great depression and World War II. She knew the struggles and hardships experienced by her own family as well as families just like hers around the world. Dorothy’s father joined the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as a carpenter and actually worked on building the Hoover Dam and the Alaska Highway project, and was away from home much of the time. Her mom had to work to support the family and reluctantly spent little time with her five children.
Dorothy is survived by her niece, Arlene, of South Carolina; sister-in-law Betty of Indianapolis; niece Susan of Indianapolis; and grandniece Mickie of West Virginia. And many great nieces and nephews She adored you all so very much and I am sure you already miss her. Thank you for sending us her story by way of many of the pictures in the back.
Dorothy attended St. Philip and St. Patrick Elementary Schools in Indianapolis and graduated from St. John Academy in 1949. She continued her education, earning a bachelor’s of science in education from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a master’s of science in elementary education from Indiana University in Bloomington, and a master of arts degree in theology from Mundelein College.
Dorothy entered religious life on February 2, 1950. She made her first profession on August 15, 1952, and her final profession on August 15, 1957.
Throughout her ministerial life, Dorothy resided in Indiana, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Ohio and most of her years were spent in Illinois.
Her ministry reflected her deep commitment to education, pastoral service and helping others. She taught students in grades two through eight and served for a year as Director of Simeon House in Indianapolis.
In Chicago, she served as secretary, programmer and bookkeeper at the Ministry Resource Center. Dorothy later served 15 years as a Pastoral Associate in two different parishes in Illinois, In Joliet, Illinois, she continued her ministry through volunteer service to the parish and to nursing homes.
In her later years, Dorothy remained active in service to others. At the Woods, she generously volunteered as a driver and switchboard volunteer, offering her time, kindness and willingness to help whenever needed.
According to Sister Noralee Keefe, and many others, she was a great card player and pizza party planner! She was often seen wearing those green gloves … Cold hands, warm heart.
From Sister Laura Parker, “I remember Dorothy when she was living in Coal City, Illinois … she struck me as being a fiercely independent woman and very determined to do things her way. She was a great friend and would do anything for you. She could speak directly and sometimes struck you as tough, but soft marshmallow. She cared deeply about the staff at Providence Health Care and called me frequently to report if someone was not being dealt fairly in her eyes.”
One day, Sister Marianne Ridgell drove Dorothy to see Dr. Cabous, and who walked through the waiting room door was none other the famous Richard Goodall at which time Dorothy summoned him over for a photo op. You can see the picture in the back.
There is a copy of an endearing Oral History of Dorothy’s life, written by Providence Associate Debbie Griffey. Dorothy was 90 years young at the time. These are a few quotes from Dorothy herself from her oral history:
“God’s love throughout the years has sparked my life and made it more interesting.”
“Life flows like a river, smooth bumps, twirls, spinning on rocks and falling.”
“It was Sister Helene, in my senior year of high school, who really instigated the whole thing about becoming a nun.”
“And what about now … it’s a wonderful experience now to be living and not have worries, it is wonderful not to have anything to do, not to be in charge. It’s a peaceful time now. So many things bring me wonder, just living. I have no real responsibilities, which I’ve never had before. You know, it’s not easy to be 90 years old. But I don’t let that get me down. I keep going.”
In that same oral history, Dorothy spoke frequently about death and was unsure of why she was still here on earth. Debbie would tell her perhaps that she still had a job to do and God was waiting for her to complete it. She would ask what was the job? And Debbie said she needed to ask God that. She strongly would say, “well if God would tell me what it was that I had to do, it would save time.”
In Dorothy’s file is a letter from a former student. The letter thanked Dorothy for being such a phenomenal teacher. This woman went on to say that she remembers the day that Dorothy leaned over and gave her a big hug and said, “I think you would make a great teacher.” The woman wrote that the following Monday would be the first day of her teaching career, thanks to Dorothy’s inspiration.
And so, as you know, her life was marked by a spirit of faithful service, compassion, a sense of humor and dedication to people she encountered.
She will be remembered with gratitude and affection by her family, friends, former students, parish communities, this community of Providence and all those whose lives she touched through her many years of ministry and service.
Dorothy’s life was a testament to her love of God and her vocation of serving others. She is now resting in the peace and joy of the God whom she lovingly served throughout her life. Dorothy was indeed convinced that nothing could separate her from God’s love.
Funeral Information
Funeral services for Sister Dorothy Ellen took place Monday, September 14, and Tuesday, September 15, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
A Wake took place from 3:30-4:30 p.m., Monday, September 14, with Vesper Services at 4:30 p.m.
An additional Wake was from 10-11 a.m., Tuesday, September 15, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Sister Dorothy Ellen to the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
We welcome you to share your memories of Sister Dorothy Ellen in the comment section below.
Sister Dorothy Ellen Wolsiffer
Complete Ministry
In New Hampshire: Teacher, St. Mary, Rochester (1952-54).
In Massachusetts: Teacher, St. Rose, Chelsea (1954-56).
In Indiana: Teacher, Annunciation, Brazil (1956-59); Teacher, St. Thomas Aquinas, Indianapolis (1959); Teacher, St. James, Indianapolis (1962-65); Teacher, St. John the Baptist, Whiting (1965-68); Teacher, St. Luke, Indianapolis (1968-72); Teacher, St. James, Indianapolis (1972-76); Intermediate, South Central Catholic, Indianapolis (1976-77); Director, Simeon House, Indianapolis (1980-81); Driver/Residential Services, Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2012-14); Volunteer, Wabash Valley Health Center, Terre Haute (2014); OSCC Switchboard/Residential Services, Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2020-21); Prayer, Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2021-26).
In Illinois: Teacher, St. Leo, Chicago (1959-62); Secretary, Ministry Resource Center, Inc., Chicago (1981-82); Programmer/Bookkeeper, Ministry Resource Center, Inc., Chicago (1982-87); Pastoral Associate, Queen of Apostles Parish, Riverdale (1987-98); Pastoral Associate, Assumption Parish, Coal City (1998-2002); Volunteer to Parish, Assumption Parish, Coal City (2002-12); Volunteer to Nursing Home, Morning Star Mission, Joliet (2002-12).
I met Dorothy 4 years ago when I interviewed her, and we have been friends since that time. She has always delighted me with her quick with, her ability to laugh at herself, and her loving concern for the Sisters in her community who were more vulnerable than herself. She was a loyal friend, and would call several times a week to chat. She frequently had me restock her candy, that she bought to share with others. She loved her nieces and family and always looked forward to seeing them.
Her sense of adventure led us here and there in the Motherhouse over the past four years; the most recent adventure being the Earth Day Festival in April. Although it was cold and rainy that day, she was ready to travel to every tent in the rain and was not bothered by either the cold or the rain. So we saw it all. She will be missed.
I met Dorothy 4 years ago when I interviewed her, and we have been friends since that time. She has always delighted me with her quick with, her ability to laugh at herself, and her loving concern for the Sisters in her community who were more vulnerable than herself. She was a loyal friend, and would call several times a week to chat. She frequently had me restock her candy, that she bought to share with others. She loved her nieces and family and always looked forward to seeing them.
Her sense of adventure led us here and there in the Motherhouse over the past four years; the most recent adventure being the Earth Day Festival in April. Although it was cold and rainy that day, she was ready to travel to every tent in the rain and was not bothered by either the cold or the rain. So we saw it all. She will be missed.