Submitted by: Dan Rich
Sister M. Catherine Ford CSC
South Bend Tribune 10/8/2006
Sister M. Catherine Francis (Evelyn Catherine Ford), CSC, 89, was born in Saint Paul, Minn., to the late Frank C. Ford and Catherine A. Virnig Ford. She is survived by cousins, Shirley Kastner of Burton, Mich., Clarence and Ethel Struble of Fulda, Minn., and many friends. Before entering the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Sister Catherine Francis worked as a secretary for the Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Sister received her early education at schools in Minnesota and Washington, D.C. She graduated from Dunbarton College, Washington, D.C., in 1943, with a bachelor of arts degree, with a major in English.
Sister entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1944, made her first profession in 1946, and final profession in 1949. In 1945 she began her teaching career at St. Cecilia's Academy, Washington, D.C., and in 1948 was associate professor/chairman of the business department of Dunbarton College, Washington, D.C. Through summer courses, Sister received her master's degree in business and economics from Catholic University of America. Sister was appointed, in 1953, Director of Admissions/Associate Professor at Cardinal Cushing College, Brookline, Mass.
In 1969 she was elected Provincial Councilor/Supervisor Secondary Education, Rockville, Md., and named 1969-1975, Regional Superior, College Region, Washington, D.C. She then spent a number of years working at Catholic University of America. She returned to the classroom, teaching at St. Patrick's Academy, Washington, D.C., then was receptionist and patient visitor at Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring, Md. In 2000 Sister came to Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame, Ind., where she participated in volunteer service to the community. She was active in the Ministry of Prayer until her death. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN 46556.
Wake service will be Tuesday, October 10, 2006, at 4 p.m. in Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN. Funeral service will be Wednesday, October 11, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. in Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame IN. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.