The people of San Antonio and many communities around the globe are mourning the loss of a teacher, visionary, and wise woman. Sr. Dorothy Ettling, CCVI, died on September 12, 2014, leaving a legacy of service and commitment to promoting human dignity for all persons. The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word announced that Sister died peacefully after undergoing two massive strokes. She lived consecrated life in the Congregation for fifty three years, serving for the last twenty years at the University of the Incarnate Word. Dorothy Helen Ettling was born in 1940 in St. Louis, Missouri, one of two daughters of Marie and Winn Ettling. Her mother, father, and sister Shirley all preceded her in death. She attended Incarnate Word Academy where she became acquainted with the Sisters teaching there and entered the Congregation upon graduation from high school. Her exceptional leadership skills were easily recognized and she earned her MSW from the Worden School of Social Work at Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio. After a noteworthy career as a social worker, Sr. Dot (as her friends called her) was encouraged to continue studies, and she earned the PhD in Transpersonal Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, California. Sr. Dorothy believed strongly in the power of Consecrated Religious Life and served as General Superior of her Congregation from 1984 to 1990. As a member of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) Board, she dedicated her remarkable talent to the revisioning of religious life after the Second Vatican Council. She facilitated this process in many religious Congregations in the U.S. and Canada. While recognized as a woman of great accomplishment, Sr. Dot was continually honing a quiet, contemplative style that inspired confidence. She manifested a unique ability to gather people in communities dedicated to systemic change. As the Congregational leader, Sr. Dot was instrumental in hiring Louis J. Agnese, Jr. as President of Incarnate Word College, now the University of the Incarnate Word. Guided by her initial vision and Agnese's leadership, the University is known internationally for excellence in education and a commitment to service. Upon hearing of her death, Agnese acknowledged, "Sr. Dot has been an important part of my life since I arrived at UIW nearly 30 years ago. I knew I could always count on her wisdom and clear counsel. " While Sr. Dot was anchored at UIW as a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Dreeben School of Education, her creative energy knew no boundaries. Her latest project was bringingthe Center for Civic Leadership (CCL) from idea to reality. A partnership between UIW and CHRISTUS Health, the Center is dedicated to promoting the common good for those in most need.Sr. Dot believed that the mission of the CCL is a legacy of UIW, CHRISTUS Health and the Sisters. Monica Cruz, Assistant Director of CCL, commented that Sr. Dot "was determined to expand opportunities for students to benefit from experiential learning both locally and globally. Cultivating students to become concerned and enlightened citizens' was something that she wanted the Center for Civic Leadership to promote and support." Apparently unscathed by advancing age, she was about to embark on a trip to Heidelberg on behalf of the CCL when she was stricken. The Center's mission will continue in her memory. In 2001, Sr. Dot and her dear friend Sr.Neomi Hayes co-founded Women's Global Connection, a virtual community aimed at developing women's leadership in their local communities through education, research and cross-cultural dialogue. With sound leadership and the generous support of many prominent San Antonians, WGC has grown from an interactive web site to a dynamic presence in Tanzania, Peru, Zambia, and many places across the United States and Mexico. Sister Dot received many honors in her life. She was recognized as a Piper Professor in 2009 and inducted into the Incarnate Word Academy Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Missouri in 2010. In 2007, the San Antonio Women's Chamber of Commerce honored her with its Voice and Vision Award, and the San Antonio Business Journal selected her for its annual Nonprofit Leadership Award in 2013. But Sr. Dot is most remembered as a rich, warm presence to those who knew her best. Lisa Uribe, former student and collaborator, captured the thoughts of many: "Those first moments in class excited me about what was to come as well as the thought of getting to know this amazing woman. I never imagined then, that I would spend as much time with her and have so many lessons, in an out of the classroom, from her. I know I am blessed!" SERVICES Wake Service Sunday, Sept. 14, 6:30 P.M. Chapel of the Incarnate Word Mass of Christian Burial Monday, Sept. 15, 5:30 P.M. Chapel of the Incarnate Word Interment Incarnate Word Convent Cemetery In memory of Sister Dot, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word suggest, that in lieu of flowers, you consider a donation to the Women's Global Connection, the Center for Civic Leadership, and/or any of the Sisters' ministries world-wide.