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Sister Dolores Marie Pardini  Email Article To a Friend View Printable Version 

Sr. Dolores as a postulant surrounded by her family. Circa 1950s.
Sr. Dolores as a postulant surrounded by her family. Circa 1950s.
Born June 11, 1938, Sr. Dolores died on January 28 at St. Columbkille Convent in Los Angeles, lovingly cared for by family members and her Notre Dame community.

During her last few weeks she received many visitors. Steady streams of young and old came to thank her for "saving their lives."  Sr. Dolores is the one who had helped them find food, shelter, medical care and assisted them in the arduous citizenship process.  Msgr. Timothy Dyer says of Sister, "She brought Christ to the neighborhood."

As a teenager, Dolores attended Notre Dame High School, San Jose, before entering the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1960.  She studied history and Spanish, receiving her BA from College of Notre Dame in Belmont and her MAT from Stanford.  She taught at Notre Dame High School in Belmont, Mora High School in Watsonville, Conaty High School in Los Angeles, and Holy Family School in Pearl Harbor, and served as a pastoral assistant for five years in Kaltag, Alaska.  In 2010, she celebrated 50 years as a Sister of Notre Dame. That same year she was honored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for her significant contributions "to the spiritual enrichment of the lives of African-American Catholics."

Sr. Dolores' will be remembered for her compassion, warmth, patience and humor.

Sr. Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, Elmo and Ernesta Pardini.  She is survived by her sisters Loreene Giansiracusa of Los Gatos, Loretta (Sr. Daniel Joseph, MM), her brothers Daniel Pardini, of Chico, and Richard (Sharon) Pardini, of San Jose. 



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Sister Dolores Marie Pardini | 6 comments
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Louis Facchino, LMFT writes: I first met Sr. Dolores during the summer of 1963. I was a transitional deacon at the time, and she and i were both enrolled in the same Spanish phonetics class at Stanford. She was an extremely good student, and i remember thinking, "Darn, she is raising the class average and making it tough on the rest of us!" After that summer, we were in touch for just a short while, and then we lost track of each other.
We also had a connection through a mutual friend, Father James Poggi, who had been both a fellow student with me in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and then my Spanish professor at St. Patrick's Seminary, Menlo Park, CA.
While saddened to learn of her death, i am glad to know that Sr. Dolores' studies contributed to her fluency in Spanish, which in turn enabled her to be an effective advocate and minister to Christ's beloved poor. Deo gratias. Presente!
Karen Judge writes: Back in the early 70's I lived at St. Columkille's with Dolores, "Poo Bear," as we affectionately called her. I never saw anyone work so hard so uncomplainingly. She was absolutely the essence of kindness toward everyone, compassionate and ready to do anything for anyone. She suffered a lot, but never made it anyone's but her own. She was an angel on this earth, a beautiful, beautiful person.
Thank you, Dolores!
Karen
vivan zelaya writes: I remember Dolores as a lovely, warm and very
kind upperclassman at CND. One who
communicated God's love just by her presence.
Mary Ellen Howard,SND writes: I joined the Sisters the same day as Dolores now over 50 years ago. I was out of the country for many years but had to chance to reconnect these past 3 summers when we spoke in parishes about our Notre Dame Missions. She was such a dear,dear person and came to all my Masses and I came to hers. We laughed and shared and got to know each other again. The highlight of my visit to Los Angeles was visiting a family from Belize whose Father had died. I was so impressed by the way she engaged the children in understanding the passing of there Dad. She will be missed but I have no doubt that she is resting peacefully in the mind and heart of God.
Pat Kobielus Thompson writes: Sister Dolores Marie was one of my teachers at Notre Dame Belmont. I was there from 1963 to 1967. I always remember her gentle manner! When I entered Notre Dame Novitiate in 1963, I didn't see much of her, but I always remember her cheerful presence in the bowels of the Notre Dame High School. Always, the clanking pipes!! God rest your soul, Sister Dolores Marie!!
Rita Russo writes: I lived with Dolor, "The Pooch," that was my affectionate name for her. I remember her for her strong faith,her dedication to the people, her warmth, humor and endless generosity.
When Dolor got the giggles sometimes she just couldn't stop and that would trigger the rest of us sometimes. I know that the Good God welcomed her with loving arms.
"Well done good and faithful servant, come into the kingdom I have prepared for you."
Love,
Rita