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Sister Shirley Carlson, SNJM
Sister Mary Martinian
(The reflection by Sister Jane Ellen Burns also is available; click to download)
Sister Shirley Carlson (Sister Mary Martinian), age 86, died at the Marie-Rose Center at Mary's Woods in Lake Oswego on July 5, 2010. She was a vowed member of the Sisters of the Holy Names for 62 years. The Mass of Christian Burial was held on July 15 at 11 a.m. in the Provincial House Chapel.
Shirley Carlson came from a loving home as the younger daughter of Fred and Pansy Irish Carlson. In her senior year at Hillsboro High School she was the president of the Girls' League, editor of the yearbook, and received the Outstanding Senior Girl award. These events, plus her excellent grades, merited a full scholarship to Marylhurst College.
Although one grandfather had been a pastor in Sweden, her family had no formal religion, and yet she felt a strong call to become a Catholic. During her freshman year she started attending daily Mass, and moved by the example of the sisters and students there she determined to become baptized, in spite of the objections of her parents. In her junior year she realized her dream, and at age 20 was received into the Catholic community. Following graduation she was employed briefly as a social worker for Catholic Charities Children's Bureau.
Her next desire to become a Sister of the Holy Names also met with family resistance. So eager was she to enter, that on May 24, 1946, out of the regular July sequence for entry, Shirley came to the novitiate as a postulant. She made her first profession in 1948, and final vows in 1953.
After leaving the novitiate, she taught high school classes, usually in history and business, at Holy Names Academy in Seattle, Sacred Heart Academy in Salem, St. Francis High School in Eugene, and St. Mary's High School in Medford. A long career as registrar followed, including time at Holy Names College in Spokane, Marylhurst College and St. Mary's Academy in Portland. Quiet and unassuming, she efficiently served wherever she was named, and helped out in various offices after retirement. She loved reading, and frequent trips to the library were a special joy to her.
In the last few years of her life she developed an interest in cooking - not at the stove, but what she read in the cookbooks, magazines and newspapers. During her years at Maria Court retirement center, and later at Mary's Woods, she was noted for her amiable, happy disposition, and her love of those she lived with. Dependability, prayerfulness and integrity marked the over 62 years of life as Holy Names Sister. '
Sister Shirley is survived by her niece and nephew and the members of her religious community. Remembrances may be made to the Holy Names Sisters Foundation, P.O. Box 411, Marylhurst, OR 97036.
Shirley Carlson came from a loving home as the younger daughter of Fred and Pansy Irish Carlson. In her senior year at Hillsboro High School she was the president of the Girls' League, editor of the yearbook, and received the Outstanding Senior Girl award. These events, plus her excellent grades, merited a full scholarship to Marylhurst College.
Although one grandfather had been a pastor in Sweden, her family had no formal religion, and yet she felt a strong call to become a Catholic. During her freshman year she started attending daily Mass, and moved by the example of the sisters and students there she determined to become baptized, in spite of the objections of her parents. In her junior year she realized her dream, and at age 20 was received into the Catholic community. Following graduation she was employed briefly as a social worker for Catholic Charities Children's Bureau.
Her next desire to become a Sister of the Holy Names also met with family resistance. So eager was she to enter, that on May 24, 1946, out of the regular July sequence for entry, Shirley came to the novitiate as a postulant. She made her first profession in 1948, and final vows in 1953.
After leaving the novitiate, she taught high school classes, usually in history and business, at Holy Names Academy in Seattle, Sacred Heart Academy in Salem, St. Francis High School in Eugene, and St. Mary's High School in Medford. A long career as registrar followed, including time at Holy Names College in Spokane, Marylhurst College and St. Mary's Academy in Portland. Quiet and unassuming, she efficiently served wherever she was named, and helped out in various offices after retirement. She loved reading, and frequent trips to the library were a special joy to her.
In the last few years of her life she developed an interest in cooking - not at the stove, but what she read in the cookbooks, magazines and newspapers. During her years at Maria Court retirement center, and later at Mary's Woods, she was noted for her amiable, happy disposition, and her love of those she lived with. Dependability, prayerfulness and integrity marked the over 62 years of life as Holy Names Sister. '
Sister Shirley is survived by her niece and nephew and the members of her religious community. Remembrances may be made to the Holy Names Sisters Foundation, P.O. Box 411, Marylhurst, OR 97036.
