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Sister Louise Tibbetts, SNJM
(Sister M. Anne Lucille)
October 23, 1941 – September 8, 2024
Sister Louise Tibbetts, SNJM departed this life on September 8, 2024 at Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Sister Louise celebrated 82 years of life and 62 years of her religious profession.
A Mass of Resurrection will be held Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Chapel of the Holy Names in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Burial will take place following the funeral at Holy Names Cemetery in Marylhurst, Oregon.
Sister Louise Tibbetts, SNJM
October 23, 1941 – September 8, 2024
Sister Louise Tibbets, SNJM, 82, died on September 8 at Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Mass of Resurrection will be Thursday, October 22, 11am, Chapel of the Holy Names at Marylhurst. Burial follows at nearby Holy Names Cemetery.
The daughter of Maynard and Lucille Wolcott Tibbetts, Louise grew up in Seattle. Her father was a sea captain and her mother, a respected educator and schoolteacher. Her parents shared with Louise and her younger brother, Stephen, a love of adventure and an appreciation of excellence in whatever they did. She also acquired from them a love of the beauty and wonder of nature in the Pacific Northwest experienced on the many family camping trips to remote corners of the region.
When Louise was a second grader, music became integral to her life. Music would be a means through which she came to hear, with clarity, a call to religious life. And so, after a year of college following her graduation from Holy Names Academy, Seattle, Louise entered the Holy Names Sisters of Jesus and Mary at Marylhurst, eventually receiving the religious name Sister Mary Anne Lucille.
A person of versatile talents, Louise had a wide range of occupations in her 60+ years as a Sister of the Holy Names. Over time, these ministries took her to Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Quebec.
After being formally trained in music and earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Violin Performance from Fort Wright College, Spokane, Louise served for eight years of her ministry life as a music teacher. Following this, she returned to school and earned a master’s in administration with a concentration in non-profit organizations from the University of Notre Dame.
With degree in hand, Louise served in several capacities of administration and fiscal management in the nonprofit sector, including treasurer of the SNJM Washington Province; Assistant to the Vice President for Financial Affairs, Fort Wright College; Manager of Budget Control, Gonzaga University; and business manager for both Holy Names Academy, Seattle and Holy Names Academy, Spokane.
After several years Louise again stepped aside to consider a new life path. Her prayerful reflection brought her to the decision to train for pastoral work. Her first parish assignment was in St. Helens, Oregon. Eventually she was led to Alaska as a pastoral administrator managing and ministering in several remote rural parishes.
Later Louise lived and worked at the Holy Names Sisters’ Mother House in Montreal where she participated in the process of closing the enormous institution. Throughout her experiences, she contributed her musical skills for the enhancement of prayer and liturgical gatherings.
On retiring, Louise moved to Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst in Lake Oswego where she was an energetic and active participant in the resident community, happily sharing her generous spirit and support with everyone she met.
Louise will be remembered for her gracious presence, sense of humor, positive attitude, generosity, and fire for mission. Remembered also will be her spirit of adventure which took Louise to rural Alaska and to the milieu of French-speaking Quebec. Gratefully, we remember how beautifully she played the violin and the example she gave us when she found new meaning and purpose after she lost her ability to play it. A woman of deep faith, Louise was a true Sister to us all.
A Holy Names Sister for 62 years, Louise is survived by 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.