- Date Of Birth: July 1, 1933
- Date Of Death: September 30, 2022
- State: Indiana
Entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on January 30, 1954
Initial Profession of Vows on August 15, 1956
After a brief illness, Sister M. John Anthony (Linton) died at Saint Mary’s Convent, Notre Dame, Indiana. Sister slipped away late at night on September 30, 2022. The love of God empowered her with gratitude and peace throughout her life and in her final days. This woman was clothed with compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12). A quiet but warm person, Sister John Anthony was loved by many throughout her 66 years of consecrated life as a Sister of the Holy Cross. The sisters at the motherhouse kept vigil with her until the end.
As Dorothy Johanna Linton, she was born on July 1, 1933, to John Anthony Linton, a railroad employee, and Beatrice (Tammany) Linton. Along with her seven older siblings and one younger brother, she was raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She was introduced to the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1938, when she began attending St. Anthony’s School in Lancaster. After graduating from high school at Sacred Heart Academy, Lancaster, in 1953, Dorothy was determined to respond to the call from God she had been hearing since she was 11 years old. On January 30, 1954, Dorothy entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Indiana. Upon reception of the holy habit, she became Sister Mary John Anthony, in honor of her father.
Dorothy first felt drawn to teaching during her senior year of high school, when she was an assistant in a kindergarten class taught by Sister M. Tarcisius (Smithers), CSC. Dorothy was known for her caring and understanding nature with the children even then. Following Sister John Anthony’s first profession of vows in 1956, she devoted almost 50 years to teaching kindergarten through fifth grade at Catholic elementary schools in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Sister had a calming influence on children, with her soft voice and kindhearted demeanor. Students, parents, and other faculty were grateful that they had such a caring and understanding teacher in their schools. Her bachelor’s degree was in education from Dunbarton College, Washington, D.C., conferred in 1971.
In the latter years of Sister John Anthony’s life, her ministry transitioned to visiting people who were older or infirmed. From 1986 to 1989, she would visit a local nursing home after teaching kindergarten at St. Anthony of Padua School, Lancaster, in the morning. Additionally, she was involved with the Sister Presence Program from 2003 to 2018 at Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring, Maryland. Her acts of kindness in fulfilling basic needs of patients were truly appreciated throughout the years, as she lessened the stress on the nurses and lightened their workload. For 15 years, along with the other sisters, Sister John Anthony represented the Holy Cross spirit and mission of the hospital.
While Sister John Anthony was an introvert by nature, she loved partaking in games that required close attention and patience. She was considered a sharp card player who was always ready to play. She liked to prepare thought-provoking games for holiday parties enjoyed by all. Alongside her relationships with those in community, Sister John Anthony held her family close to her heart. She was grateful that she had been able to visit her parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews as much as she did. Assignments in the eastern United States made such visits easier.
In 2018, Sister John Anthony was assigned to a ministry of prayer when she moved to Saint Mary’s in Notre Dame, Indiana, where she was a vibrant presence in community life. She is survived by her brother, Thomas, and many nieces and nephews. Her family and religious community take comfort in knowing that she is at peace in God’s embrace.
-Written by Madisen Toth, archivist
