Rest in peace, Sister Dorothy!

Sister Dorothy Anhaiser, OVISS, was welcomed into eternal life by her loving God on Saturday, November 18, 2023. She was born to Anton and Mary Nohavitza Anhaiser on January 1, 1926, and had three brothers and five sisters.

At age 17, she left her home in Dubina, TX, and went to San Marcos, TX, to become a machinist and crane operator. From there, she moved to Corpus Christi to work for a chemical company. She completed her high school education at Incarnate Word Academy, Corpus Christi. One day, she and three of her friends and their dates went to the Santa Fe stables to get horses to ride. She took off riding very fast, leaving the others behind. When the horse reached Ocean Drive, it slipped and rolled over. Dorothy sprained her ankle as she tried to get her foot out of the stirrup.

During her time of healing, while she was lying flat on her back, Sister Xavier Holworthy, a Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, sent her a note that read, “Why don’t you get off the fence and enter the convent?” After thinking about this for a few days, Dorothy called Sister Xavier and asked what would be necessary to be accepted into the convent. The answer she received was: “Good health, reasonable intelligence, and a small dowry.” Dorothy reflected on this and decided to enter the convent. She did so on November 21, 1944. Sister made her perpetual profession on June 2, 1949, and celebrated her 75th Jubilee of vowed life on June 11, 2022.

Sister Dorothy received her bachelor’s degree in home economics from Incarnate Word College, San Antonio, and her master’s degree in education from Texas Woman’s University, Denton. 

Sister taught in Sacred Heart and St. Theresa Schools in Corpus Christi, Sacred Heart School-Sinton, St. Rose of Lima-Benavides, Our Lady Star of the Sea-Port Isabel, Incarnate Word Academy-Corpus Christi, Incarnate Word Academy and Villa Maria High School-Brownsville. On weekends and during the summers, she taught religious education at the Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi, the Naval Air Station-Laredo, Driscoll Children’s Hospital-Corpus Christi, and parishes in Violet, Vattman, Beeville, Laredo, and Brownsville. She served as librarian and cafeteria manager at Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi and Brownsville. In 1998, the Office of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Brownsville presented her with an award for her exceptional service to Catholic schools. 

Sister Dorothy was very innovative. For example, she remodeled a former auditorium at Incarnate Word Academy, Brownsville, painting and refurbishing it to create a well-lit, airy, and beautiful environment students were eager to use as a library resource center.

She began computerizing the library of Villa Maria High School and processing documents, information, and memorabilia of significance to the history of the school and the Congregation. While in charge of the school cafeteria in Brownsville, she introduced a new policy of free and reduced-priced meals for children unable to pay the full price.

In 2000, Sr. Dorothy was assigned to work in the archives of the Congregation. On May 3, 2011, she was awarded The Daniel Kilgore Local History Award, presented by the Nueces County Historical Society at its 7th Annual Award Event.

Dear to her heart was the work of Mrs. Sara Merdes Judd of Corpus Christi, who devoted much time and effort to helping the poor in Guatemala. With Sara, Sister Dorothy traveled to Guatemala to see the missionary work there and was deeply touched by the experience. After that, she devoted her energy to helping this project in whatever way she could.

Her funeral services will be held Friday, November 24, 2023, at St. Patrick Church, 3350 S. Alameda, Corpus Christi, TX, as follows:

• Visitation/Viewing: 9:30 am
• Mass of Resurrection: 10:00 am
• Burial: 11:30 am at Rose Hill Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Incarnate Word Sisters Retirement Fund,” Attention: Sister Annette Wagner, 5201 Lipes Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX  78413-5501.