Sister Profile

Sister Dorothy Gartland

Formerly Sister Margaret Eugene

Sister Dorothy was born on October 29, 1929 and died on December 25, 2025.

Biography

Sister Dorothy was born on October 29, 1929, in St. Joseph, Missouri, the day the stock market fell. Her family moved to Chicago after her father’s job was moved there.

Sister Dorothy, formerly Sister Margaret Eugene, entered the Congregation on February 2, 1948, professing first and final vows on August 15, 1950 and 1955, respectively.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education. She also has a master’s degree in elementary education from Indiana University.

Of her ministries, Sister Dorothy has taught at schools in Washington, D.C., Indiana and Illinois. She was principal at Assumption School in Evansville and at St. Joseph School in Hammond, both in Indiana, and spent 20 years teaching at Maternity BVM in Chicago. She was also a founding member of the 8th Day Center for Justice, also located in Chicago.

Her final ministry was in prayer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

She loved her Chicago White Sox, although she lived with Cubs’ fans. Sister Dorothy added her favorite food was shrimp.

Sister Dorothy Gartland (formerly Sister Margaret Eugene)

Complete Ministry

In Washington, D.C.: Teacher, St. Ann (1950-53).

In Illinois: Teacher, Immaculate Conception, Chicago (1953-55); Teacher, St. Leo, Chicago (1955-57); Teacher, St. Mel, Chicago (1969-74); Social Concerns Director, 8th Day Center for Peace and Justice, Chicago (1974-76); Social Justice Minister, 8th Day Center for Peace and Justice (1976-86); Teacher, Maternity BVM, Chicago (1986-2007); Work on behalf of Disappeared of Guatemala, Chicago (1987-90); Guatemalan Solidary Group: “FINDING,” Chicago (1990-97); Youth Services Coordinator, Providence Family Services, Chicago (1997-2007); Volunteer, After School Homework Program, Providence Family Services (2007-18); Interfaith Post-Detention Accompaniment Network, Chicago (2013-18).

In Indiana: Teacher, St. Malachy, Brownsburg (1957-59); Teacher/Principal, Assumption, Evansville (1959-63); Teacher/Principal, St. Joseph, Hammond (1963-68); Teacher, St. Joseph, Hammond (1968-69); Residential Services, Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2018-23); Prayer for Justice Issues, Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2024-25).

Obituary

Read her obituary here.

Written by this sister

This sister has written content published on this website. Here is some recent content, or you can view her full author listing here.

Read more

Sister Dorothy is featured in the following content on the Sisters of Providence website:

Photographs

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Sister Dorothy Gartland (center) with (from left) Vicar Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp and General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski.
The 2023 75-year Jubilarians included (front row, from left) Sister Laurette Bellamy, Sister Grace Marie Meehan and Sister Eileen Dede, (middle) Sister Dorothy Gartland, Sister Jane Michael Dwyer, Sister Joan Mary Schaefer and Sister James Michael Kesterson. They are photographed with (back) General Councilors Sister Carole Kimes, Sister Anne Therese Falkenstein, General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski and Vicar Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp. Not photographed: General Councilor Sister Laura Parker.
Many of the Sisters of Providence who volunteer in the Providence Hall phone room included (seated) Sister Mary Joan Schaefer and (standing, from left) Sisters Kay Manley, Dorothy Gartland, Barbara Bluntzer, Mary Ann Phelan, Carolyn Bouchard, Noralee Keefe, Carol Lindly, Lucille Lechner, Claire Hanson, Carol Nolan and Donna Butler.
Sister Dorothy Gartland (right) with special guest Sister Judith Cervizzi.
(front, from left) Sister Mary Lois Hennel, Sister Ruth Johnson, Sister Ann Casper and Sister Dorothy Gartland during the 2021 Jubilee Luncheon.