ANNA MARIE NEUHOFER
Anna Marie Neugofer; Jun 19, 1931 - Oct 14, 2015
Sister Dorothy "O.S.B."
In my cousins'(Imelda Barthle) baby book this note was made: June 19, 1949,
our cousin Anna Neuhofer entered the convent.
A video memorial for Sister Dorothy
I went through all the yearbooks she had digitized and copied her pictures, went through photos I have taken of her, including a brief video snippet she recorded with me when we were preparing to present a paper at the Catholic Library Association meeting last spring, drove to campus today and asked security to allow me to take a few photos of her office as she left it, and put it all together in this video memorial.
Sandra Lee Hawes, MA(LIS), MEd
(The second daughter of Helen Frances & Joseph Paul Neuhofer)
Sister Mary Dorothy Neuhofer (June 19, 1931 - October 14, 2015) A Legacy of Dedication to Learning Sister Mary Dorothy Neuhofer, O.S.B., a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, passed into her eternal life on Wednesday, October 14, 2015. Born to Joseph and Helen (Barthle) Neuhofer on June 19, 1931, Sister was raised in St. Joseph, FL, the second of eleven children. One of her siblings, Sister Mary Clare, is also a member of the community. Sister Dorothy is also survived by brothers Joseph, Paul, Frank, Pat, Mike and another sister, Lena Pearson; sisters-in-law Margie, Mary Ann, Marcia; brothers-in-law Mark Pearson and Pete LaBruzzo; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Her brother Leo and sister Trudi LaBruzzo pre-deceased Sister Dorothy…Trudi on the very same day and month, October 14th of 2014. Sister Dorothy attended public school and Holy Name Academy in St. Leo, FL. She graduated from Barry University, Miami, FL and then earned her Master of Arts in library science from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest, IL. Sister also holds a Master of Church Administration, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC and a Doctor of Philosophy, library science from Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. Joining the Benedictine Sisters in December, 1950, Sister Dorothy faithfully served the community for 65 years in numerous capacities including prioress and archivist. She received numerous honors throughout her life for steadfast devotion to God, her community and to the Benedictine way. As a high school student, Anna (her given name) Neuhofer was the delegate sent by Holy Name to attend the Catholic University of American’s Catholic Action in Washington, D.C. In 1982, Sister Dorothy was elected the first female president of the American Benedictine Academy, a national organization to cultivate and transmit the Benedictine heritage. Sister explained that heritage to be intellectual, spiritual and cultural. She received in 1988 the organization’s highest award, Fellow of the American Benedict Academy which recognized scholarly achievement and long-standing contribution to the Academy’s purpose. Sister’s service also included president of the Catholic Library Association. After teaching for fifteen years in Florida Catholic schools, Sister Dorothy joined the staff at Saint Leo University. Her academic career of distinction there was as a professor, university archivist and special collections librarian. Recognized as a scholar in the field of Catholic higher education, she was honored by the university August 18th for her five decades of extraordinary work. Her doctoral dissertation later to be published as a book, focused on Midwest Benedictine college libraries that illustrate the strong connection between the love of learning and the Benedictine tradition. Sister Dorothy’s love of learning is a hallmark of her legacy. Visitation will be Monday, October 19th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm and a Vigil service at 7:00 pm at Holy Name Monastery (12138 Wichers Road, St. Leo, FL). Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at Holy Name Monastery on Tuesday, October 20th at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Benedictine Sisters of Florida or the Sisters’ Building Fund, PO Box 2450, St. Leo, FL 33574. Published in TBO.com on Oct. 16, 2015 |
|
Sister M. Dorothy Neuhofer "Obituaary" 
The Saint Leo community mourns the loss of Sister M. Dorothy Neuhofer ’49, OSB, who passed away on Wednesday, October 14. She was a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida. Sister Dorothy, as she liked to be called, was the university archivist and special collections librarian at the Daniel J. Cannon Memorial Library, and she held the rank of full professor. Sister Dorothy worked for the university for a remarkable 50 years, and was honored for that special milestone in August 2015. Sister Dorothy and her many siblings grew up in the neighboring agricultural community of St. Joseph. Her father was a German immigrant, and her mother was the daughter of German immigrant parents who had moved from Minnesota to St. Joseph. She graduated from Holy Name Academy and joined the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in 1949. She originally began working at Saint Leo College of August 15, 1965, after serving as an educator at a number of parochial schools of Florida. When she joined Saint Leo College as a catalogue and reference librarian, she already held her bachelor’s degree in education from Barry University in Miami and a master’s degree in library science from Rosary College (now Dominican University) of River Forest, IL. She progressed in her career at our library to fulfill a number of roles, and also served as a member and officer of various professional library associations. She continually advanced in her own scholarship. She earned a master’s degree in church administration from the Catholic University of America and her doctorate in library studies from Florida State University. For her dissertation (eventually a book) she studied two Midwest Benedictine college libraries that illustrated the connection between the love of learning and the Benedictine Tradition. Among her colleagues at Saint Leo, Sister Dorothy was known for her dedication to her work and attention to detail. She had a talent for growing plants and provided meticulous care for those in the library and at home. Sister Dorothy resided at Holy Name Monastery among the other Benediction Sisters of Florida, including her sibling Sister Mary Clare Neuhofer. At the time of her passing, Sister Dorothy held the role of archivist of the monastery. She had served as prioress of the community at an earlier time. A viewing will be held at Holy Name Monastery (12138 Wichers Road in St. Leo) on Monday, October 19, from 3 to 5 p.m. with a wake service on Monday at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held also at the monastery on Tuesday, October 20 at 1030 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Benediction Sisters of Florida building fund. |
