God calls Sister Dorothy Hood, FSE to her eternal home

BRIDAL VEIL, OREGON (06-02-2024) – Sister Dorothy Hood, FSE entered eternal life after suffering an unexpected episode of choking the evening of June 1, the Vigil of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) while the Community was gathered for a meal. The entire Franciscan Community mourns her death and lives profoundly with the reality of Christ’s words, “But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Mt 24:36).

Sister Dorothy was known in the Community for her faithfulness, her steady and meticulous attention to detail, and her gracious and caring attitude. She enjoyed being a support behind the scenes and serving others in whatever way was needed. Strong in faith, she witnessed for others patient endurance in suffering. This became a hallmark of Sister Dorothy especially after she was seriously injured in a car accident. The resulting loss of her left eye after several surgeries, as well as other health-related problems, seemed to serve to strengthen Sister Dorothy’s spiritual stance of accepting God’s will and offering her suffering for the good of the Church and the Community.

Sister Dorothy at the sales counter of the Grotto Gift Shop.

Sister Dorothy with a display of religious items in the gift shop.

Sister Dorothy’s friendly acceptance of the uniqueness of individuals was evident in her years of managing the Little Portion Store on Shaw Island, Washington, and her later years of working in the gift shop at The Grotto, The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother in Portland, where providing a welcoming environment to customers from all over the world is a joyful priority. She enjoyed meeting and conversing with friends and strangers alike. Her characteristic kindness and quiet manner expressed the deep respect she held for persons.

Sister Dorothy was born in Spokane, Washington, the daughter and middle child of Charles and Margaret (Schoenberg) Hood. Her brothers were Stanley Michael and Dennis Walter Hood. Her father worked as a salesman for Sears and Roebuck in Spokane. The Hood family were members of St. Charles Church in Spokane.

As a young woman, Sister Dorothy entered the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in 1959 and upon becoming a novice, was given the religious name Sister Kristine Marie. Later, she opted to change back to her baptismal name. She professed first vows in 1962 and perpetual vows on August 9, 1967. She earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, with a minor in English, speech and drama from Viterbo College in 1967. She was missioned as a teacher to parochial schools in Boyd and Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and St. Anthony, St. Augustine, and St. Xavier schools in Spokane, and St. Jude School in Vancouver, B.C. She taught at Star of the Sea School, Astoria, Oregon; St. Margaret School, Blackfoot, Idaho; and Franciscan CRE-ACT I School, Pocatello, Idaho. In 1973 she received a master of education degree from University of Portland. Ten years later she earned a bachelor of science degree in computer science from Grand Valley State College, Allendale, Michigan.

Sister Dorothy became a founding member of the newly-formed Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in 1973. While earning her computer science degree she was part of the Franciscan center in Lowell, Michigan, located on a 230-acre farm. With another Sister, she played a major role in building a much-needed pig barn which currently is used as a tool storage space.

In 1983 Sister Dorothy was missioned to the Franciscan Sisters’ Shaw Island, Washington center where for eleven years she joined the team of Sisters who managed the Little Portion Store. She also offered computer classes for local children and adults. With the closing of the Sisters’ mission on Shaw Island in 2004, Sister Dorothy was assigned to the Bridal Veil center. She taught part-time at Mt. Hood Community College and worked at the gift shop at The Grotto in Portland. Sister Dorothy’s hospitable manner, consistent work ethic and religious presence made her beloved by customers and co-workers.

While on Shaw Island, Sister Dorothy began a service named “The Wheat Press” which sold handmade hosts for use in Catholic parishes and religious communities. She continued making hosts using an elemental host-making apparatus while in Bridal Veil. The week before her death she had made hosts for the Mass of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi to which over 200 guests were attending, since it was the occasion for the Bridal Veil center to celebrate the Franciscan Community’s 50th anniversary of foundation. The Sisters announced at the Mass that the hosts had been made by Sister Dorothy. The Sisters also planned to use Sister Dorothy’s homemade hosts at her funeral.

For over 30 years, Sister Dorothy has maintained a database of vital data for the Community. This service exemplifies the quiet, behind-the-scenes support she faithfully gave as part of the body of the Community.

Sister Dorothy is predeceased by her parents and brothers, twenty-five Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, and a Franciscan Brother of the Eucharist.

Visitation will be on Monday, June 10 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. with the rosary at 7:30 p.m. at Holman’s Funeral Service, 2610 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, Oregon 97214.