Obituary: Dougal, Sister Susan M. Snjm
DOUGAL,
Sister
Susan M.
SNJM
(Gerald Mary)
Susan Dougal was second of four children born to John Joseph and Mary Coyle Dougal, both of whom were born in Co. Donegal, Ireland.
She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but while she was “a wee lass” the family moved to Seattle because of the depression.
Susan graduated from Immaculate Elementary and High School in 1949, joined the Sisters of the Holy Names that same year, and continued her education, earning a B.A.
in Education from Holy Names College in Spokane and an M.A.
in Sociology from the University of Washington.
A born teacher, her students experienced her as energetic, competent and caring.
From 1951 to 1965, she taught junior high students at St. Patrick’s in Spokane, Holy Redeemer in Portland, and in the Tacoma/Seattle/Everett area St. Frances Cabrini, St. Anne’s and Immaculate Conception, where she was Principal from 1967-73.
Her students and their families are still among her closest friends!
Sister Susan also chaired the Sociology Department at Holy Names College from 1973-75.
From 1975 to 1981, Sister Susan was chosen Treasurer of the Washington Province of her religious community, moving on as the Development Director in support of the Sisters’ ministries until 1985.
Her Irish heritage was most evident in Susan, from the twinkle in her blue eyes to the Catholic faith in her loving heart to her open hands for those less fortunate.
When the opportunity for a year of renewal was possible, Susan chose to spend it at Milltown Institute in Dublin, Ireland, where she earned a certificate in Theology.
She returned by way of Israel.
This year had the effect of deepening her drive for seeking justice for the oppressed in any cultural, political or educational climate, and gave her the standards by which she would choose her future ministries.
She completed a Socio-Legal Advocacy Program at Edmonds Community College, worked as a Pastoral Assistant at All Saints in Puyallup, served at Miriam’s House of Transition in Spokane, operations manager at Mi Casa in Puyallup.
She then applied for a position as ABE/GED Instructor/Coordinator for the Washington Corrections Center for Women at Purdy, a position she held from 1992 to 2000.
She found this ministry an experience in teaching and in learning as she opened herself to the women, all of them seeking wholeness together.
Whether in support of sexual assault victims, lobbying for minimum wage, acting as guardian ad litem, intervening with alcoholics, teaching English as a second language to Sisters in Vietnam, establishing low-income housing, teaching in schools serving families living in poverty, whether face to face or as a board member, Susan’s passion for justice and for the full dignity of the human person were paramount in her heart, in her speech and in her work.
Not all of Susan’s energy was focused only on work; her zest for life and ability to have and to create fun were also appreciated by her friends.
In 2007, Sister Susan suffered a stroke which greatly altered her life.
After her initial hospitalization in Seattle, she came to the Care Center for her community here in Spokane where she again achieved mutuality with the Sisters and her care-givers.
Sister Susan died February 14, 2012, in Spokane, Washington.
Susan’s sister Jean and her brothers John and Gerald have also died.
She is well-loved by her nieces and nephews, and by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 18, 2012, Convent of the Holy Names, 2911 West Fort Wright Drive, Spokane.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Names Retirement Fund, 2911 West Fort Wright Drive, Spokane, WA 99224.
Please visit Sr. Susan’s online tribute and leave a condolence at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements by