Dolores Bauman, SNJM

Dolores Bauman was born in Strasburg, North Dakota, the daughter of Sebastian and Ann Miller Bauman. The Bauman family later relocated to Spokane, Washington, where Dolores got to know the Sisters of the Holy Names as a student at St. Patrick’s Elementary School and Holy Names Academy.

After her high school graduation in 1949, in response to a desire to enter religious life, Dolores made her way on August 5 to Marylhurst, Oregon, the location of the novitiate of the Holy Names Sisters in the Pacific Northwest. In February 1950, she became a novice receiving the Holy Habit and her religious name Sister Mary Carmelita. She professed temporary vows in August 1951 and made final vows in August 1956. That same year she completed her Bachelor of Science in Education at Marylhurst College.

For the majority of her ministry career, Sister Dolores taught middle-grade students in Holy Names schools in Portland and The Dalles in Oregon and Tacoma, Seattle, and Spokane in Washington.

Sister Dolores left formal education in 2004. In the following years, she generously volunteered in a variety of ministries in the Spokane area including Our Place Community Outreach and the Women and Children’s Free restaurant. She has also given time and energy in several capacities for the Sisters of the Holy Names including hospitality.

As Sister Dolores celebrates her Diamond Jubilee this year, we are grateful for the gifts she has shared with the Community and with people of God in her 75 years of ministry and commitment as a Holy Names Sister.