Sister Mary Veronica Doerner, OCD 1928 - 2022

       We're taking a brief break from our exploration of the life of a Carmelite Nun, in order to share with you that Sister Mary Veronica of the Holy Face, OCD (Frances Anna Doerner), the last founding sister of the Carmel of Maria Regina in Eugene, Oregon, died April 4, 2022, at the age of 93 from heart failure. She died peacefully at the monastery with the sisters (Nuns) caring for her.

    Sister Veronica was born October 23, 1928, in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Leo Joseph Doerner and Ruth Gertrude Valentine Doerner. Her mother, Ruth, died of tuberculosis when sister Veronica was eight years old, so her Aunt, Anna, helped to raise her. She attended public schools in Los Angeles and Oxnard until senior year of High School, then transferred to Santa Clara High, Oxnard. For two years, she attended classes at Mt. St. Mary’s College for Women in Los Angeles. Then on May 24th, 1949, she entered religious life at the Carmel of St. Teresa in Alhambra, California. On November 6, 1957 (Only four years after her final profession of vows, November 25, 1953), she and five other sisters founded the Carmel of Maria Regina in Eugene, Oregon.

Sister Veronica served our Carmelite Community in various capacities throughout the years. She served as superior for many terms, novice mistress (cared for the new sisters), a bookkeeper, and an infirmarian, to name a few. She loved reading, candlemaking, writing (especially poetry and song lyrics), and animals; with a special love for cats and dogs.

She was preceded in death by her younger brother, Richard Doerner of Ojai, California, and survived by her sister-in-law, Patricia Clark Doerner of Ventura, California. Her Carmelite Community, and the many friends she made over the years, will miss her dearly.

Sister Veronica’s Funeral Mass was held at 10:30am on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at the Carmel of Maria Regina on Green Hill Road. Burial followed immediately in the sisters’ cemetery. It was a beautiful Funeral, with Auxiliary Bishop, Peter Smith, presiding. 

        What a blessing that day was. We would like to thank all who came to the funeral, for all your prayers, kind words of sympathy, and your support.  It warmed our hearts to see so many of you, our good friends, there. It helps us immensely to know of your love and concern for our community, and to know we're supported. We cannot thank you enough. It means so very much to us!

And of course, we'd like to wish you all a very happy Easter Season! May our good Lord bless you abundantly and shower you in His merciful love. We look forward to sharing more with you next time about our life. 

In the Peace of Christ,

Your Carmelite Sisters in Eugene