Sr. Dorothy Ann Bolser, SFP
June 30, 1932—August 26, 2025
Sister Dorothy Ann Bolser SFP (Sister Carolita), 93, passed into the heart of God on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. She was the fifth of nine children, born to the late Jacob and Elizabeth Fisher Bolser on June 30, 1932, in Hamilton, Ohio. Dorothy Ann considered, “One of the greatest of God’s gifts was to have chosen to bring me into this world into a loving Christian family.” She recalled her childhood as a time of boundless “fun and joy” amid the family’s financial challenges of surviving in the post-depression era. Although many of her childhood pastimes were role playing as “Battlefield Nurse and as ‘Sister’ teaching Catechism or Music” exemplifying compassion and benevolence, to the contrary, she was considered to be a “Live-Wire” by her father which revealed her strong will and determination.
From an early age, it was apparent that Dorothy Ann was called and chosen to live a God-centered life of healing service to others. Her child’s play focused on both nursing and religious teaching made her an ideal candidate for acceptance as a Franciscan Sisters of the Poor. With insistence, despite her father’s objection, Dorothy Ann enter as a high school Aspirant in 1948. As she states, “So eager was my desire to give my life to God as a “Sister”, I was able to overcome all obstacles and ‘stormed Heaven’ with prayer.” After completing her formation, Dorothy Ann ministered in a variety of challenging and needful posi-tions in the convent and hospitals. So inspired with hope and driven with the desire, “to care for the sick and suffering in God’s world”, in 1964 she completed her studies as a Licensed Practical Nurse and spent almost twenty-five years of “happy, dedicated service” ministering in hospitals, long-term care facilities and caring for her own fellow Sisters in our Franciscan Terrace Retirement Center.
In midlife, Dorothy Ann, having fostered an ever-deepening relationship with God, shifted the focus of her ministry from nursing the body to nurturing the soul. This led her to become a Certified Chap-lain where she used her gifts to minister predominately to the elderly. During this time, having recov-ered from a period of depression, she found this to be an invaluable experience of preparation for her ministry. “Although I count it as the darkest period of my life’s journey – I see it now as one of the greatest Blessings in my life; and in my understanding of our God, who is a Faithful, loving God, who never abandons us in our Journey through Life.”
Dorothy Ann’s wholehearted desire and commitment to serve God through serving others applied not only to those in care settings but became very personal when she chose to provide loving care for her parents, enabling them during their wisdom years, to age in place in the comfort of their own home.
A deeply meaningful and soul satisfying aspect of Dorothy Ann’s journey, was her direct service to the impoverished and those most in need within our local community through her volunteer work at St. John Social Service Center. There she “encountered the presence of Jesus, rejected, wounded and suffering, there before my very eyes” in the lives of the vulnerable, discarded, and rejected.
Serving them in their brokenness broke open her love, channeling an outpouring of compassion and grace for them. This change of heart, this new tenderness, she experienced even astonished her.
All of Dorothy Ann’s lived experiences were reflective of her intense love of God. As she describes it, “God is as close as my breath, my heartbeat. In this moment. Everywhere ‘Union with God’” Throughout her lifetime she was athirst for God. Seeking, searching, and finding God in all things. She expressed the God within through her creative making of inspirational door signs, artwork and displays as her way of sharing and introducing others to the God of her understanding and knowing.
In more recent years, Dorothy Ann’s thirst for God was evident by the attention and focus she placed on her spiritual journey through eagerly and actively participating in a multitude of offerings while keeping abreast on world and Church events.
Despite compromised health for many years, Dorothy Ann held to the belief that “God is always with us, in ALL ways, in the darkness and the light.”
Dorothy Ann leaves a legacy of love for her fellow Sisters, the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, her dear sister Verna McDulin, devoted nieces and nephews and their families, along with friends.
“When Life Becomes a Prayer”
When days were young she chose the path
to serve her Lord with love,
And where He led, she followed,
focused on things above.
Soft spoken, warm, intelligent
and, one-on-one, a friend.
Faithful through life’s sun and storms,
whatever God would send.
A kindly spirit, grateful heart
knew all is in God’s care,
She lifted up her very soul,
as her life became a prayer.
The following are some testimonials from our Sisters and Associates who remember with affection Sr. Dorothy Ann Bolser:
Sr Dorothy Ann blossomed in her senior years. She was actively engaged in most every activity and offered others her “presence”. She often freely spoke of her inner journey to God. I am appreciative of her witness to me about aging with grace. Be at peace, dear Dorothy Ann. Sr. Marilyn Trowbridge, SFP
Sr. Dorothy was a very kind soul whose smile lit up her face. I SO enjoyed her handwritten notes & cards. SFP Associate Molly Talbot
I will always remember her smile and the warm way she welcoming me when I would arrive to Cincinnati … ask me about my travels and wish me a safe journey home. Sleep in Peace, sweet Sister SFP Associate Denise Ingrassia
I didn’t meet Sr Dorothy until the latter years of her life. She was gentle and kind to me and the Sisters on Magnificat’s. I do remember how much she loved Christmas and music. Her window was lit with a candle to welcome Baby Jesus. Her smile was a welcome to all she met. Her prayerful devotion was accompanied by joyful song at mass. Now with the angels and Saints- the chorus must be beautiful welcoming her into Mother Frances arms. Thank you , Sister – you touched our lives! SFP Associate Anne Cabanas
