Francis Anne Whisler, CSJ
December 7, 1912 – December 15, 2009
Frank and Anna (Kuava) Whisler’s first child was born in Minneapolis and given the name Dorothy Irene at Baptism. With her brothers Charles (Bud) and John (Jack) the family moved to St. Paul and then to North St. Paul. Dorothy attended public schools in these three cities; her last three elementary years were spent at St. Peter’s in North St. Paul.
She often recalled how her father who was not a Catholic was convinced of the quality of education offered at St. Joseph’s Academy, and it was said that in his work as a streetcar conductor no CSJ paid a fare on his run. Following graduation from St. Joseph’s Academy, Dorothy spent four years doing office work. Skills she learned there prepared her for ministry the community would ask of her.
After first vows on March 19, 1937, she began ministry in North Dakota. She taught business, first at St. John’s Academy, Jamestown (1937-1941) and then at St. James High School in Grand Forks (1941-1960). Francis regaled audiences about being assigned to teach Animal Husbandry to students from farming families. During these years she took classes at UND and summer sessions at CSC.
Francis was appointed superior at the Academy of the Holy Angels (where she also taught a French class). In 1963 she was asked to be Province Treasurer, her ministry until 1978. These were times of great change in religious communities, many of which resulted in the evolution of the treasurer’s role. New concepts of common funds, budgeting, and the formation of boards and committees necessitated the development of policies. As treasurer, Francis Anne chaired and worked on many committees. She was one of the initial members of the Car Board. Policies were developed and many decisions made on Saturday mornings while the group ate chocolate doughnuts she had picked up at the Dutch Bakery. In order to explain the new concepts and practicalities she traveled to each local community in the province.
Her ministry expanded beyond province matters. As religious communities across the country began sharing and working together, she was involved in establishing the Region XI Conference of Religious Treasurers, participated in the first national meetings of treasurers as well as initial meetings of the Carondelet treasurers, worked with other religious communities in Minnesota to get lay-equivalent salaries for women and men religious, joined organizations for socially responsible investing, such as the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility, and worked with other local religious communities to promote fair and equal banking policies. Francis participated in and hosted a number of these meetings at the CSJ Administration Center.
In looking back, Francis’ loves were teaching and family. Her19 years in Grand Forks were significant. She was invited to and attended many class reunions with Marquita Barnard. She was still receiving cards from former students at the time of her death. Students and their family members recount how she helped them to succeed in school.
Following “retirement” from her position as treasurer, her love of young people continued at Derham Hall High School. She worked in the office there and is remembered by faculty, parents and students for her graciousness.
Family members have even more memories of “Love and Prayers”, their term of endearment for her. There were wonderful visits at Cross Lake enjoying time and relaxation with Bud and Ellen and their children. She spent time with Jack’s family, always participating in the annual Fourth of July bocce ball tournament. Francis attended many of her nephews’ hockey games supplying bags of confetti collected from the key-punch machines of the Data Center’s early days.
Francis enjoyed both large and small group living. Her hobby of needlepoint produced multitudes of gifts for family, community members and friends. In recalling travel she spoke of a bus tour through North Dakota, Montana and Canada. However, the trip of her life was one to England, Ireland and France when she was in her late seventies.
Francis came to Bethany in February, 2000, where she interacted with community members, friends and staff. She continued her ministry of prayer. Many attest to her faithful continuing support of prayers for them, their loved ones and those with special needs. Even though her dementia meant she no longer recognized family members, CSJs or staff, she had booklets and lists of people for whom she prayed. Her gracious spirit always welcomed others.
