Francena Dodd, CSJP (1933-2024)
Sister Francena Dodd was the daughter of John and Mary (Hannick) Dodd and the third of eight siblings. She entered the aspirancy of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Peace in Cabra, County Down, Northern Ireland, on November 15, 1953. Sister Francena and nine other candidates came to the United States in September of 1954. She was one of four sisters from that group to be sent to Our Lady’s Province in Bellingham, Washington, where she officially became a postulant on September 12, 1954.
On the completion of her novitiate in March 1957, Sister Francena and her seven novitiate companions went to Seattle, Washington, as the first group of junior professed to occupy Saint Joseph Juniorate. For the next two years, Sister Francena attended the Seattle University School of Nursing. However, her first ministerial assignment, in 1959, would take place in a primary school. Sister Francena was a fourth-grade teacher at Saint Joseph School, Wenatchee, Washington. In 1961, she went on to a two-year assignment as a second-grade teacher in Saint Rose School, Longview, Washington. Finally, in September of 1966, Sister Francena had her wish fulfilled: She returned to nursing school at Seattle University and Providence Hospital Nursing school.
Sister Francena had a long and varied career in health care. She worked as a nurse and a nurse supervisor at our community hospitals in Eugene, Oregon, and Bellingham and Longview, Washington. In 1973, she went on a mission to Cameroon, serving as a ward nurse in various hospitals for the next ten years. In 1983, she returned to Seattle to serve for one year at the diocesan retirement home the Josephinum and from there to Eugene. In 1984, Sister Francena moved on to Saint John’s Hospital in Longview. Five years later, she began her final mission of pastoral care, a position she filled until illness forced her to retire.
At any stage in her religious life, all who came in contact with Sister Francena remember her as a deeply religious, caring, joyful woman. She lived life to the fullest and was eager to know and meet new people. After her retirement, she loved to spend six months of the year with our sisters in the United Kingdom, where she made many friends.
Sister Francena spent her final week at St. Mary-on-the-Lake where she was lovingly cared for by her dear friend Sister Anne Hayes, CSJP, who ministered with her in Longview, and by our own faithful and caring nursing staff. She died peacefully in the early hours of March 14, 2024, with Sister Anne praying by her side. She is remembered fondly by all, especially the people of Longview and the medical staff of Saint John’s Hospital.