Sister Dolores Finke 1921-2010
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Born February 17, 1921, Covington, Kentucky Entered St. Walburg Monastery, September 8, 1941 Received habit, June 29, 1942 First Profession, June 30, 1943 Died April 12, 2010 |
Sister Dolores Finke, OSB, was born in Covington, KY on February 17, 1921 to Henry and Clara Berling Finke and given the name Dolores Elizabeth at her baptism. Dolores was the oldest of ten children, six girls and four boys. Six of these siblings survive her, Tom, Lucille, Carol, Jerry, Dan and Marlene. Dolores entered St. Walburg Monastery on September 8, 1941 having worked as a stenographer for a time after her graduation from Notre Dame Academy. Often in later years Sr. Dolores spoke of the terrible homesickness which afflicted her during her postulant year. Surviving this, she retained a close relationship with her large family.
Dolores became a novice, Sister Walburg, on June 29, 1942. She made first profession June 30, 1943 and perpetual monastic profession on July 1, 1946. She chose to return to her baptismal name when sisters were given the option. Sr. Dolores celebrated her silver, golden and diamond jubilees in 1968, 1993, and 2003.
Elementary school children were the chief recipients of Sr. Dolores’ Benedictine ministry. From 1944 until 1979 she taught all grades, one through eight, and in some of the smaller schools served as principal while teaching. She served as full time principal at St. Henry (1960-61) and Holy Cross (1971-74), and taught at Blessed Sacrament, Villa Madonna Academy, St. James, Brooksville; St. Francis Xavier, Falmouth; St. Henry, St. Joseph, Crescent Springs; Our Lady of Guadalupe, LaJunta, CO; Holy Cross, and St. Paul.
After she retired Sr. Dolores arranged transportation for the sisters and then served as sacristan at Madonna Manor until 1996. She lived at the monastery from 1976 on, and moved to the infirmary when her health declined.
Sr. Dolores was faithful in prayer, community life and service. She appreciated the care shown her by the infirmary staff, their kindness and efforts to make her comfortable. Visits by sisters in community and her family were important to her. For years she stopped by the statue of the Blessed Virgin in chapel to pray for a happy death. In recent years she needed a pacemaker; her breathing was often labored. It was still a surprise and a shock to learn that she had died suddenly in the early hours of April 12, 2010. Sr. Dolores is survived by her Benedictine community, six siblings and many nieces and nephews.