A Message from Director of Development

Sister Lucille Marie Dean (Sister Assunta Marie), age 86, a Sister of Providence for 67 years, died February 18, 2022, at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, Wash.

Sister Lucille, second child of Walter and Agnes (Welsh) Dean, was born in Seattle, Wash. on March 19, 1935. Her family included five siblings and numerous foster children who were part of the bustling household.

Sister Lucille first met the Sisters of Providence when she began second grade at St. Catherine School, Seattle, Wash. She felt privileged to have elementary schooling by the Sisters of Providence – the “happy Sisters.” Sister Lucille once said, “… the Sisters had a strong influence on me.” In 1954, shortly after high school, Sister Lucille entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Providence at Mount St. Vincent, Seattle, Wash., received first vows in 1955 and final vows in 1958.

Her educational achievements included: a BA in Education and History from College of Great Falls (now University of Providence) in 1963; and an MA in Education/Curriculum and Instruction in 1971 from University of Oregon, Eugene, Ore.

Sister Lucille was a woman of deep spirituality, vision, humility, patience, wisdom, collaboration and grace; anticipating what lies ahead and approaching it with courage and determination in ministries as a classroom teacher, a school administrator and in leadership roles. Her ministries as a classroom teacher and school administrator took her to Yakima (1957-58); Burbank (195557, 1959-60, 1964-67); Moxee (1960-62); and Anchorage (1962-64). She served as principal of St. Catherine Elementary School in Seattle (196772), which she attended as a child and then taught children of her former classmates, and Providence High School in Burbank (1986-2005). In her many leadership roles, Sister Lucille was Provincial Councilor (1975-78) and later Provincial Superior of Sacred Heart Providence (1979-85) of the Sisters of Providence; a member (2017-20) of the Board of Providence Health & Services and then served as Chair (2010-12); Interim President of University of Great Falls (2015-16); and as a member of numerous boards. Sister Lucille was much loved and touched many lives. She was the recipient of numerous awards, such as Distinguished Alumnus from the University of Oregon (2001); “Burbank Woman of the Year” (2004); and Lifetime Achievement Award from the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA-USA) (2018). Under her leadership and with the active collaboration of parents, Providence High School in Burbank began their Medical and Media (now Cinema) Focus Programs, the former in collaboration with Providence St. Joseph Medical Center (Burbank). Later, the school also added a Technology Focus Program as well. During her tenure, Providence High School in Burbank was also designated as a national Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education (1998).

Sister Lucille was rarely idle and leaves an enriching legacy. Throughout her life, and as a woman of faith, Sister Lucille always gave thanks for where Providence led her.

Sister Lucille is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Tony. She is survived by her sisters Loretta (Rollin) Radwick; Pati (Ruben, deceased) Hoard; Mary Jo (Jerry) Sweeney; Diane Dean, and her brother Christopher (Nancy), many nieces and nephews, and by the Sisters in her community. Eternal rest granted unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Please keep the following members of the extended Providence Community in your thoughts and prayers.

Lisa Lynch Allinson ‘88 and Mia Allinson ‘25 for the passing of their father and grandfather, John Lynch.

The family of Geri Golden Arnold ‘59.

The family of Garry Bowren ‘82.

PHS faculty member Dennis Bullock ‘88 for the passing of his mother, Jeanne Claire Bullock.

Diane Johnston Conger ‘80 for the passing of her father, Richard Johnston.

The Dean Family and the Sisters of Providence for the passing of their sister, PHS former principal, Sister Lucille Dean, SP.

The family of Helen Bushnell Delaney ‘66.

The family of Jonathan Franyutti ‘09.

Taline Gevorkian ‘15 for the passing of her brother, Tevan Gevorkian.

PHS staff member Erin Griffith for the passing of her husband’s grandmother.

Chady Hasrouty ‘12, Jean Claude Hasrouty ‘13, and Salina Hasrouty ‘15, for the passing of their grandfather, Nicholas Khourey.

Christopher Hodges ‘16 and Ryan Hodges ‘23 for the passing of their grandfather, Michael Kemp.

PHS staff member Michael Jagosz ‘09 for the passing of his grandmother, Rosa Jagosz. PHS faculty member Annie Matthews ‘93, Andrew Matthews ‘95, Edward Matthews ‘97, and Dakin Rudolph ‘25, for the passing of their brother and uncle, Richard Matthews.

Patricia Weitzel Muto ‘87 and Cole Muto ‘22 for the passing of their father and grandfather, Bud Weitzel.

St. Euphrasia Catholic School Principal, Jean Ornelaz for the passing of her husband, Thomas Ornelaz.

The family of Deva Overman ‘01.

Kathleen Courtney Pardi ‘68 and Mary Courtney ‘70 for the passing of their mother.

The family of Stephanie Davidson Pierce ‘72.

The family of Roberta Smith Polizzi ‘63.

The family of Shirley Riedel ‘66.

Michele Sharp-Brown ‘70 and Karen Sharp Lancaster ‘72 for the passing of their mother, Rosemary Sharp and sister, Pamela Sharp ‘71.

The family of Teresa Donin Saunders ‘74.

Former PHS librarian Sandy Tabacchi for the passing of her husband, Dennis Tabacchi.

Tim Thobe ‘87 for the passing of his mother, Sue Ellen Thobe.

The family of Kristin Brown Zavala ‘95.

Christopher Zimmerman ‘99 and David Zimmerman ‘01 for the passing of their mother, Sally Zimmerman ‘77.