Remembrance of the Life of Dorothy Ortner CoL

Loretto Co-member Dorothy Ortner died just before midnight Aug. 4 at Loretto Living Center in Nerinx, Ky. Several Community members gathered to send her on her way. 

Dorothy was part of Loretto for 41 years, serving as a Sister of Loretto in parochial schools until 1978. She returned to Loretto as a co-member in 2011, moving after several years to Loretto Motherhouse where she served with the Loretto Farm and Land Committee and Motherhouse Coordinating Board.

Below is Dorothy’s obituary, courtesy of Baucke Funeral Home in Holyoke, Colo:

A longtime resident of Holyoke, Dorothy Ann Ortner, 92, passed away peacefully Aug. 4 while surrounded by friends and caregivers at the Loretto Living Center at Loretto Motherhouse. Though Dorothy worked and traveled throughout the United States and internationally, she considered Holyoke to be her home, “her roots.”

Dorothy entered the world in 1932 at her family’s farmhouse as the fifth of seven children born to John and Mary Ortner. She loved her big family and life on the farm, often reminiscing about how she felt grounded by her childhood experiences. One of her favorite jobs on the farm was sheep herding. In her words, “It was peaceful and only required watchful attention.”

Dorothy’s sense of wonderment grew as she became aware of the world around her. The orange hues of eastern Colorado’s magnificent sunrises and sunsets, coupled with the infinite darkness of the country night skies, prompted not only a lifelong appreciation for the beauty of creation but also an obligation to protect the environment gifted to us. Additionally, working the large family garden and the family’s farm, livestock, chickens and ducks with her father, mother and siblings clarified her connection to the values of hard work, persistence, living lovingly and generously, and approaching difficulties a step at a time. These experiences were the bedrock of what would become the foundation of her life. 

Education was of paramount importance to Dorothy. Her first experience with school was as unusual as it was unique by today’s standards. “Imagine a one-room schoolhouse in the middle of nowhere,” she would say in the retelling of the story, “with one teacher trying to manage kids as young as first grade and as old as seventh grade. Imagine walking that far to go to school or riding a horse to school.” Most of the time, they rode in an old green wooden “school bus” the kids called “the orange crate.” Dorothy eventually transferred to the “town school” in Holyoke and graduated as valedictorian from Holyoke High School in 1949. 

Dorothy continued her education at Loretto Heights College in Denver and then at the Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, where Dorothy trained for and became a Sister of Loretto. She then attended Webster College in St. Louis, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in religious education. 

Whenever she talked about her experience at Loretto, she always mentioned influential Sisters, who were intelligent women and positive role models. No matter where she was working in the United States or overseas, Dorothy always felt supported by the Sisters of Loretto. It was at Loretto Heights College and the Loretto Motherhouse that Dorothy learned to live what she called the “Loretto Life.” Relying on the guiding principles of justice and peace, she sought to incorporate these ideals into her daily life.

For 17 years, Dorothy taught elementary and junior high-age students and was principal for Catholic schools in St. Louis and Arlington, Va. By the mid-1970s, Dorothy began working in New York City as the first field director for Bread for the World, a Christian ecumenical lobby working to end hunger and poverty. Her “territory” was the United States, and she crisscrossed the country by traveling on Greyhound buses using 30-day passes. Though it was challenging, she realized her love for ecumenical work and for the people with whom she worked. During this time, Dorothy also served as the chair of the National Assembly of Women Religious division of Sisters Councils. 

In 1976, Dorothy had “the chance of my lifetime” and moved to Tanzania in East Africa near Lake Victoria to participate in the Sisters of Loretto Third World Experience. The nearly yearlong program immersed Dorothy into the Tanzanian culture as an observer and learner rather than a teacher or missionary worker. As an emissary, she learned about Tanzanian culture, customs, education, politics and general way of life, particularly for women. The experience changed Dorothy’s life. She gained a much deeper understanding of how people in different cultures can have different viewpoints, values, beliefs and priorities. She also learned more about adult education and how the Tanzanian people approached it. The revelation led Dorothy to commit to working in adult education.

Dorothy became the director of adult education for the National Council of Churches in 1983, a position that led her to several international destinations. She was a true globetrotter, traveling to Argentina, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Burma (Myanmar), Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, India, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Philippines, St. Lucia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Thailand and Zimbabwe. Additionally, Dorothy traveled extensively throughout Europe. 

Whether traveling across the United States or adding another stamp to her passport, Dorothy enjoyed meeting people regardless of their economic, social, ethnic or religious background. Because she knew firsthand what it felt like to be a “stranger in a strange land,” Dorothy always took a chance to talk with a stranger with the hope of making a friend. Her empathy was never in short supply … she believed building community would make a disparate world much closer.

In 1991, Dorothy “retired” and left her home of 20 years in New York City and returned to Holyoke to be with family and friends. She looked forward to spending her time reading and pondering and discussing the “great questions of life.” However, her passion for adult learning led to a short-lived retirement. Within a year, Dorothy established the “Literacy for the 90s Project,” an English as a Second Language (ESL) program for Holyoke and Phillips County funded by a one-year federal grant. The program has expanded and continues today as Phillips County Family Education Services. 

Dorothy’s passion for cultural exchange led to her involvement in establishing a traditional Mexican folkloric dance group for children. This included working with families to sew and create authentic dance costumes for local performances. Twenty years later, these costumes are still used in the Holyoke Paquime Dance program. She also served on the Arts Council board as a member and president for six years. She helped initiate Prairie Winds Art Center to provide a home for learning and performing arts.

Dorothy finally retired in 2018 and returned to the Loretto Motherhouse Community with boxes of books to read and many topics to discuss. She was excited to reunite with some of the same women she first met at Loretto nearly 70 years prior, along with the promise of making new friends with other Sisters of Loretto and co-members who were also retiring to the Motherhouse and the wonderful staff.

Dorothy’s family deeply appreciates everyone at the Loretto Living Center at Loretto Motherhouse. Your love and care for Dorothy made a difference every day!

Dorothy is survived by her youngest brother, John Ortner (Margie, deceased), and three generations of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, John and Mary Ortner, and her siblings Margaret Rader (Ralph, deceased), Joseph Ortner (Theresa, deceased), Marie Mailander (Leo, deceased), Cathrine Goddard (Merrill, deceased), and Helen Augustenborg (Ernest, deceased).

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Phillips County Family Education Services.

Finally, in Dorothy’s words: “I only have the words ‘thank you’ to carry a return message of love. I am so grateful how you each have entered my life and helped me to be who I am.”  

A celebration of Dorothy’s life took place Aug. 17, 2024, at the Church of St. Patrick in Holyoke. A Rosary service took place Aug. 16 at the church, preceded by a viewing and visitation. Her remains were buried in Holyoke in the cemetery with her family.

With gratitude Loretto prays for Dorothy’s peace. Please keep Dorothy, her loved ones and all her family in your prayers.