Sister Marianne "Dorothy" Giesel

Dorothy Alice Giesel (aka Sr. Marianne) was born in St. Peter City, MN, on March 1, 1938 to Cyril John Giesel and Angela Anna (Heim) Giesel. She grew up in a loving family with two brothers and three sisters, and began her elementary education at Queen Anne Grade School in Lebanon, OR. She graduated from St. Mary of the Valley Academy (now Valley Catholic High School) in Beaverton in 1956.

Sr. Marianne entered the Sisters of Saint Mary of Oregon in 1957, and professed perpetual vows as a religious Sister on August 15th, 1962. She celebrated her 60th Jubilee as a consecrated woman religious in 2017.

In her 43 years as a Catholic school educator, Sr. Marianne fulfilled the SSMO mission to proclaim the Good News of God’s love with creativity and educational excellence. She had a practical, prayer-filled love of her students. Sr. Marianne earned her BS in Education from Marylhurst University (1961) and Master of Education at Portland State University (1981). She taught primary grades at St. Boniface (Sublimity), Christ the King (Milwaukie), Our Lady of Sorrows (Portland), St. Mary (Spokane), St. Luke (Woodburn), St. Matthew (Hillsboro), Holy Trinity (Beaverton), Sacred Heart (Gervais), Our Lady of Guadalupe (Seattle, WA), and St. Agatha (Portland). She also served as a catechist for many young children throughout Pacific Northwest as she taught Religious Vacation Bible School and Sacramental Preparation. In addition, Sr. Marianne was a great supporter and tutor for the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program on the SSMO Campus.

Sr. Marianne had a deep relationship with God and a profound appreciation for His creation. This was evidenced in her love of nature and her compassionate care for her students. She found great joy in creating religious articles and sharing the Catholic faith through evangelization and sacred hymns. Joyful, enthusiastic, and faith-filled, she embraced community life and service wholeheartedly for as long as her health allowed. With a warm smile and a gracious spirit, Sr. Marianne welcomed everyone she met, leaving a lasting impression of kindness, hospitality, and Christ’s love. This compassion was also shown as she cared for her dear friend and SSMO Associate, Debby Whitson, for many years.

Sr. Marianne Geisel passed away on August 30, 2026 at Maryville Nursing Center. She is missed with love by her brother Roger Geisel, sisters Anita McLaughlin, Sue Kirby, and Linda Stokely, her SSMO Community, Maryville caregivers, and friends. Sr. Marianne was preceded in death by her parents Cyril and Angela Giesel and her brother, Jerry.