Sister M. Luella, CSC (Anna Lyda Van Dorn)
November 7, 1922 — December 2, 2024
Entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross from Los Angeles, California, on August 1, 1945
Initial Profession of Vows on August 15, 1948
Anna Lyda Sutherland Van Dorn was born on November 7, 1922, in Los Angeles, California. She was the sixth of seven children. Her baptismal certificate indicates that she was baptized Anna Lyda. Here we refer to her as “Ann” since it was her preference and the way she signed her name and appeared in correspondence about her. The children were all raised by their mother, Johanna (Hannon) Van Dorn, following the death of their father, Henry Alexander Sutherland Van Dorn, when Ann was only seven years old. Looking back, she admired how organized her mother was in raising six daughters and one son as a single parent. Her mother never let any of her children slouch growing up, and as a student, Ann distinguished herself by having excellent posture!
Ann’s first introduction to Sisters of the Holy Cross was through Saint Agnes, her home parish and grade school in Los Angeles. She found the compassion of the parish families and the kindness of her Holy Cross teachers, filling a void left by her father’s death. She decided to become a Holy Cross sister on the eve of her eighth-grade graduation, describing it as the day “the good Lord stole my heart away.” God guided Ann “by planting the seed of vocation with the help of the sisters,” and she was eager to enter the congregation following her graduation from Catholic Girls’ High School in Los Angeles, but her mother resisted her entering the convent when the motherhouse was so far from home. Not until August 1, 1945, did Ann enter the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Indiana. Upon reception of the holy habit, she received her religious name— Sister Mary Luella.
Upon Sister Luella’s completion of her initial religious formation in Holy Cross, she began teaching in primary schools. From 1946 to 1984, she was missioned in schools in the western United States, including Idaho, Utah, California, and Arizona. She thrived as a primary school teacher, who believed her students did not only learn facts and figures from her, but how to please God and how to show their love for other people as well. In 1966, Sister Luella earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Portland in Oregon. While teaching at Holy Rosary Academy in 1973 in Woodland, California, she was elected house superior. The sisters were confident in their choice of Sister Luella, as they knew that she was someone they could always depend on, no matter the need.
After almost 40 years of teaching, Sister Luella was involved in parish ministry at Saint Paul’s Church in Seattle, Washington. As a pastoral associate, she visited the elderly and sick in hospitals and nursing homes. She was a Eucharistic Minister to the sick, also overseeing the parish 50+ club and the widows’ support group. Throughout the 30 years she was missioned at Saint Paul’s Church, she touched many lives and had a positive impact on the people.
Sister Luella was a hardworking, generous, and loyal friend. Those who knew her say that they were never able to find her in her room, as she was always going around the convent visiting others. She enjoyed reading, bicycling, knitting, and crocheting. While missioned in Seattle, she taught calligraphy to a small group of older women. Her gregarious personality and sense of humor allowed her to easily connect with anyone. This was especially true for younger Holy Cross sisters who were on their first mission, as she always welcomed them wholeheartedly and offered her help whenever needed.
Sister Luella was also known to be a very determined person. Once she had made her mind up about something, she stuck by it. When her friend, Sister Mary Ellen Johnson, CSC, suggested she get her hearing checked, she insisted that her hearing was just fine. Seemingly nothing could have been said to convince her otherwise. Eventually, Sister Luella went to the doctor with the intention to prove there were no issues. After learning she did need hearing aids and the importance of getting your hearing checked, she began raising awareness with every senior citizen in the parish.
In 2014, Sister Luella transitioned to a ministry of prayer and retired to Saint Catherine by the Sea Convent in Ventura, California. After living in Ventura for two years, she moved to the motherhouse at Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana. At the time of her Diamond Jubilee in 2023, she reflected on her 75 years of consecrated life, writing that she cherished deeply her relationship with God, and was grateful to all the many Holy Cross sisters who encouraged and supported her across her long life and to those with whom she lived at Saint Mary’s Convent where she lived her last years in community.
This past November, Sister Luella celebrated her birthday at 102 years old, having been to the community Mass that day as usual. Almost a month later, Sister was present in church for the First Sunday of Advent. The next day, December 2, 2024, was another ordinary day as the sisters anticipated the coming of Christ, not only in history but in the fullness of time. After the evening meal, Sister Luella asked for her “favorite pajamas” as she prepared for bed. She was not satisfied until they were found. After those assisting her then helped her gently into bed, Sister Luella gave them a quick kiss on the forehead—a gesture out of character for her. As they tucked in her blanket, “Sister just slipped away, calmly and peacefully.” The Prince of Peace had come as night settled in—and stole the heart of this quiet, faithful woman who had waited long enough (Song of Songs 3: 1-5).
Services for Sister Luella will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., Prayers in the Presence of the Body with memento begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Mass of the Resurrection. Kaniewski Funeral Homes is assisting with the arrangements.
