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Sister Caryl Bastasch, SNJM
(Sister M. Carolyn Frances)
December 6, 1938 – March 19, 2023
Sister Caryl Bastasch, SNJM departed this life on March 19, 2023 at Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Sister Caryl celebrated 84 years of life and 64 years of her religious profession.
A Mass of Resurrection was held Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Chapel of the Holy Names in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Sister Caryl Bastasch, SNJM
December 6, 1938 – March 19, 2023
Sister Caryl Bastasch, SNJM, 84, died March 19, 2023, in the Marie-Rose Center at Mary’s Woods, Marylhurst, Oregon. A Mass of Resurrection will be held Thursday, March 30, at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of the Holy Names, Marylhurst.
The daughter of Frank J. and Frances Hogan Bastasch, Caryl was born December 6, 1938, in Portland, Oregon, the third of six children. Her father Frank was an Oregonian while her mother Frances came to Oregon from Prince Edward Island in far-eastern Canada.
Caryl grew up in Portland within a loving family with her siblings, Frank, John, Paul, Tom and Mary. She attended grade school at All Saints in Southeast Portland and then went to St. Mary’s Academy in downtown Portland for her high school years.
Following her graduation in 1956, Caryl entered the novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Names at Marylhurst, eventually receiving the religious name Sister M. Carolyn Frances. She once remarked that the rules were strict, but her call seemed clear. The Sisters in charge were beautiful role models, she said, and her “set,” those who entered with her in 1956, became friends easily and supported each other.
Always a creative and enthusiastic teacher, Sister Caryl taught children ranging from grades one through six at Holy Names Schools that included St. Mary’s, The Dalles; St. Joseph’s, Salem; and St. Philip Neri, St. Peter, and Holy Redeemer in Portland. Her classroom abounded with inventive projects in which she integrated art with subjects like science and language arts.
Along the way she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Marylhurst College and a master’s degree in elementary education from Portland State University.
Sister Caryl later moved into educational ministry in the local parish setting. Living in Newport located on the scenic central Oregon coast, she served as a “shared” Pastoral Associate for Sacred Heart parish, Newport. In addition, as part of her pastoral responsibilities she traveled across Lincoln County coordinating religious education programs for the parishes in Lincoln City (St. Augustine), Siletz, (Our Lady of Guadalupe), and Waldport (St. Anthony). She very much enjoyed working with the children and families of all these parishes in faith education and sacramental preparation.
When she left the central coast, Sister Caryl moved to Lake Oswego and worked as Director of Religious Education (DRE) at Resurrection parish in nearby Tualatin.
When she retired, Sister Caryl continued to offer her pastoral gifts, regularly volunteering in the Marie-Rose Center at Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst, a senior living community, sharing the wonder and beauty of faith with those she met there. She brought a special loving presence and gentle kindness as she visited the sick and distributed communion to the room bound.
Always motivated by the loving spirit of God, Sister Caryl was a woman of prayer which animated her life as an educator, artist, and friend.
A Holy Names Sister for 64 years, Sister Caryl is survived by her brothers Paul and Tom, her nieces and nephews, and the members of her religious community. Remembrances may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Names, PO Box 398, Marylhurst, OR 97036 or online at www.snjmusontario.org/donate.