Sister Dolora Neumaier, IHM, died Jan. 20, 2021, at IHM Senior Living Community on the IHM Motherhouse campus. She was 103 years old.
Rosalie Catherine Neumaier was born June 29, 1917, to Daniel and Laura (Foley) Neumaier in Holloway, Mich. She graduated from St. Thomas High School (Ann Arbor) in June 1935. One month later, she entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, and received the religious name Sister Dolora.
She began studies at Marygrove College, earning a bachelor’s degree, and later earned a master’s degree in education from Wayne State University.
A lifetime of ministry served all stages of human development, beginning as a first grade teacher at St. Vincent (Akron, Ohio) and St. Agnes (Detroit); 10 years in child development and directed teaching at the Nursery School at Marygrove College; and as teacher and principal of Sacred Heart School (Auburn Heights) and assistant principal of Gesu (Detroit), Sister Dolora became versed in the administrative side of education.
At St. Alan Parish (Troy) in the early 1970s as coordinator of religious education, her student-audience grew to include adults of all ages. This was a transition point in her ministry, as she would serve the parish of St. Thomas (Ann Arbor) over the next 20 years in parish/pastoral ministry to parishioners, the sick and the elderly. Sister Dolora was dedicated to this ministry and to improving her own education to be of service to others. She actively pursued conferences and workshops for the betterment of spiritual caregivers and was a member of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.
Retiring in 1992 and remaining in Ann Arbor, she volunteered as a chaplain for area facilities, including St. Joseph Hospital. In her 80s, she moved to the Motherhouse. As was her spirit, Sister Dolora volunteered in Pastoral Care, serving those living and working on campus.
Sister Dolora is survived by nieces and nephews and her sisters in community. She was preceded in death by brothers, Daniel, James and John; and sister, Madeline Collins. Read her Remembering here.