Sister Marian Dolores Schumacher, M.M., Maryknoll Sister for 77 Years Dies

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Marian Dolores Schumacher, M.M. died on October 17th, 2020 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on September 15th, 1924 in Winona, MN to Marian L. (Bender) Schumacher and Edmund G. Schumacher.  She is survived by her three sisters, Dolores Zalusky, Irene Mantooth and Patricia Tomashek. Her brother Edmund and two sisters, Lois and Marian have pre-deceased her.

In 1942, Marian graduated from Cathedral High School in Winona, MN. She entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate, Maryknoll, NY on September 7th, 1943 from her hometown parish (Cathedral of the Sacred Heart). She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7th, 1946 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession of Vows on the same date in 1949, also at the Sisters Center.

Sister Marian studied at Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Sisters Center) from 1945-1949. There, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. After earning her Degree, she received her first mission assignment to Waikiki, HI, there she taught Kindergarten and Second Grade at St. Augustine’s School. In 1955, she was assigned to St. Ann’s School in Kaneohe, HI to teach Fifth Grade and then was school Principal from 1965-1969.

From 1969-1976, she spent her time in Honolulu where she taught in St. John’s School in Kalihi-Waena. During this time, she also studied at the University of Hawaii, (summers and night school) and earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education in 1973. After receiving her Degree, she returned to St. Ann’s School in Kaneohe, HI to teach Fourth and Sixth Grade from 1976-1983.

Sister Marian returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY for Congregational Service from 1984-1987. She spent her days working in the Treasury Department. In 1988, she received her first overseas mission assignment to Bolivia, where she engaged in pastoral work providing aid to families in need in the San José and Santa Rosa Barrios area.

In 1992, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to work again in the Treasury Department from 1992-1995. After completing this assignment, she was called back to Bolivia, this time to Riberalta. There, she engaged in pastoral and social work with indigenous people from 1996-2003.

In 2003, Sister Marian retired to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY continuing to cheerfully volunteer her services wherever she could.

Funeral Services: Vespers-Thursday, October 22nd, 2020. Funeral Mass-Friday, October 23rd, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a limited number of guests will attend the services.