Sister Mary John Michael Dee, BVM, Interview with Sister Mary DeCock, BVM, 1999
Item
Sister Mary John Michael Dee, BVM, 1954. Pictured left to right: Kay Lamb, Monsignor Thomas Meehan, and Mary John Michael Dee. (WLA, Mundelein College Photograph Collection)
Interview Audio Tape 1 Side A
Interview Audio Tape 1 Side B
Interview Audio Tape 2 Side A
Interview Transcript
Title
Sister Mary John Michael Dee, BVM, Interview with Sister Mary DeCock, BVM, 1999
Summary
Sister Mary John Michael Dee, BVM describes her childhood and education before arriving at Mundelein after profession with the BVMs. Sister Mary John Michael was one of the original five novitiates hand chosen by Sister Mary Justicia to join the faculty and undergo graduate studies in 1931. Sister Mary John Michael names the five: Sister Mary Columba Kriebs, Sister Irma Corcoran, Sister Mary Francine Gould, Sister Mary Sylvester Geisler, and Sister Mary John Michael Dee. Sister Mary John Michael was sent to the University of Michigan with Sister Mary Columba for one year to earn their master’s degrees.
Date Created
1999
Biography
Sister Mary John Michael Dee, BVM was born in 1904 in Kansas City, Missouri. Sister Mary John Michael was a psychology professor at Mundelein from 1931 through 1951. She served as the president of Mundelein College from 1951 to 1957 and was a successful fundraiser who is credited with providing Mundelein with a firm financial foundation which remained sound for several decades. Sister Mary John Michael died in 2005 in DeWitt, Iowa.
Time Log
Sister Mary John Michael Dee, BVM
Interview with Sister Mary DeCock, BVM, June 9, 1999
Dubuque, IL
Time Log
Tape 1, Side A
0-5 minutes
Raised in Kansas City Missouri.
Attended Manual High School.
Went for teachers training to the University of Kansas and graduated from there. After graduating, Dee joined the BVMs. Was in the novitiate with Sister Mary Ernesta (Lacey). Was postulated with Sister Mary Verena (Griffin)
5-10 minutes
After profession, Dee went to a provincial, Sister Mary Justicia along with five others who also had their first degrees: Sister Mary Columba Kriebs, Sister Irma Corcoran, Sister Mary Francine Gould, Sister Mary Sylvester Geisler, and Sister Mary John Michael Dee. Was sent to the University of Michigan with Sister Mary Columba for one year. Sister Michael John Dee was assigned to take bacteriology.
10-15 minutes
At the University of Michigan she was steered toward psychology or educational psychology and also took bacteriology. Finished MA in one year and went back to Mundelein. The skyscraper was not done, but in July they moved into the building, right before the school opened. Registration exceeded what was planned. The school delayed opening to September 29, 1930.
15-20 minutes
The sisters were given teaching assignments. Most of the teachers had come from Immaculata High School. Sister Mary Janet and Sister Mary Consuelo were very helpful.
20-25 minutes
Many of the students were from Immaculata and St. Mary’s. The first year there was no senior class. The first year there was a dedication and not a graduation. Cardinal Mundelein came for the dedication. The superintendent of police cut off Sheridan Road and Sister Justicia asked for it to be manned by the six handsomest police officers on the six handsome horses. The horses were denied but instead they were on six motorcycles.
Cardinal Mundelein came back for the graduation too.
[There is a break in the tape here and the story jumps to Sister John Michael’s role as president of the college and her experiences as in that role raising funds for Mundelein.]
25-30 minutes
Description of a visit to Cardinal Mundelein’s office regarding a monetary gift from the Ford Foundation. The funds went into a portfolio under the cardinal’s financial advisor’s direction.
30-35 minutes
Never let the funds get out of Sister John Michael’s hands because she wanted it to increase the salary for the teachers. Was requested to send funds to Mount Carmel every six months but explained Mundelein’s need. Did send some funds, however. Mt. Carmel did not interfere with her efforts at Mundelein. Alumni sent money to Mt. Carmel.
Tape 1, Side B
0-5 minutes
Had 72 sisters at Mt. Carmel and they went by number.
Sister John Michael was especially remembered for professionalizing the account keeping of the college.
Describes the faculty under Sister John Michael: Sister Mary Richard was special from a religious life perspective, Sister Mary Augustina and Sister Mary Harrita were fine teachers. Sister Mary Basiline had to be told that she was to retire at Mt. Carmel. Sister John Michael took her to Mt. Carmel in a parlor car on the Zephyr train. Sister Mary Basiline did not speak the whole time.
5-10 minutes
Sister Mary Basiline was taken to the St. Joseph’s Sanitarium.
Sister John Michael wanted to build a residence hall but was not able to.
10-15 minutes
Sister John Michael left the college in a good financial state. She gives the credit to God.
When John Michael went in as president, there were 75 sisters. At the time, Mundelein was very regulated. There were too few there for evening chapel and Sister John Michael wanted to do something about it. She decided to change the rules about evening chapel.
15-20 minutes
She reinterpreted the rules for the benefit of all the sisters.
Sister Mary Bernarda was a great support for Sister JM. She really knew the girls, their boyfriends, husbands, children.
[End of June 9 interview]
20-25 minutes
[Beginning of June 12 interview]
Co Founder and first president of the college, Sister Mary Justicia was very open, kind, with a heart as big as her person. She was fair in her dealings and was vitally interested in what the sisters were doing as teachers.
Sister Mary Justicia was told by many that she could not build the college when she did, to that she answered, “But..I know that you will help me.”
Story of the Cardinal who came to the door because he wanted a contribution to a spiritual “bouquet” that was to be sent to the Pope which he wanted one of the Mundelein sisters (Sister Janet) to make. It wa sa ten inch white vellum book.
25-30 minutes
Describes her experience under Sister Consuela as president for three years and the return of Sister Mary Justicia who came back as president for six years. Sister Mary Justicia was followed by Sister Mary Josephine. Sister John Michael reflects on the time when was told of her succession to the presidency.
30-35 minutes
Sister MJM asked why she was appointed. She was not told why.
Tape 2, Side A
0-5 minutes
When Sister John Michael was assigned to be president, the school was in debt. Her assignment was to get it out of the red.
She wanted Mundelein to have a president and a Superior who would have distinct responsibilities. Later when Sister Mary Ann Ida Gannon took over, Sister John Michael stated this again and Gannon made the change.
Tells the story of a proposal that suggested that the University of Chicago, Loyola, and DePaul to join together to gain funds and each would have to contribute $1000.00.
5-10 minutes
Sister John Michael had to consult her board of trustees. She asked and was told to join.
The student body at Mundelein was bright but they did not realize it. Sister John Michael acknowledges three students in particular, Marjorie Frisbie, Peggy Roach, and Juanita Serafin. They were more mature than earlier students.
10-15 minutes
Reflections on the Mundelein and Loyola affiliation:
Sister Ann Ida Gannon told Sister John Michael about the affiliation with Loyola. Sister John Michael believes that Loyola was magnanimous in its willingness to take on Mundelein’s debt and expenses.
Sister John Michael does not believe that Mundelein would have been able to recover from its debts.
15-20 minutes
From the beginning, The Loyola president did not want Mundelein to build where it did. But he came the first New Year’s Day to greet the Sisters at Mundelein.
Sister Mary Justicia said that she kept a sharp eye on those “wiley Jesuits” next door.
Relays experiences with priests teaching at Mundelein, including Father Murphy and Father Clarke.
Interview with Sister Mary DeCock, BVM, June 9, 1999
Dubuque, IL
Time Log
Tape 1, Side A
0-5 minutes
Raised in Kansas City Missouri.
Attended Manual High School.
Went for teachers training to the University of Kansas and graduated from there. After graduating, Dee joined the BVMs. Was in the novitiate with Sister Mary Ernesta (Lacey). Was postulated with Sister Mary Verena (Griffin)
5-10 minutes
After profession, Dee went to a provincial, Sister Mary Justicia along with five others who also had their first degrees: Sister Mary Columba Kriebs, Sister Irma Corcoran, Sister Mary Francine Gould, Sister Mary Sylvester Geisler, and Sister Mary John Michael Dee. Was sent to the University of Michigan with Sister Mary Columba for one year. Sister Michael John Dee was assigned to take bacteriology.
10-15 minutes
At the University of Michigan she was steered toward psychology or educational psychology and also took bacteriology. Finished MA in one year and went back to Mundelein. The skyscraper was not done, but in July they moved into the building, right before the school opened. Registration exceeded what was planned. The school delayed opening to September 29, 1930.
15-20 minutes
The sisters were given teaching assignments. Most of the teachers had come from Immaculata High School. Sister Mary Janet and Sister Mary Consuelo were very helpful.
20-25 minutes
Many of the students were from Immaculata and St. Mary’s. The first year there was no senior class. The first year there was a dedication and not a graduation. Cardinal Mundelein came for the dedication. The superintendent of police cut off Sheridan Road and Sister Justicia asked for it to be manned by the six handsomest police officers on the six handsome horses. The horses were denied but instead they were on six motorcycles.
Cardinal Mundelein came back for the graduation too.
[There is a break in the tape here and the story jumps to Sister John Michael’s role as president of the college and her experiences as in that role raising funds for Mundelein.]
25-30 minutes
Description of a visit to Cardinal Mundelein’s office regarding a monetary gift from the Ford Foundation. The funds went into a portfolio under the cardinal’s financial advisor’s direction.
30-35 minutes
Never let the funds get out of Sister John Michael’s hands because she wanted it to increase the salary for the teachers. Was requested to send funds to Mount Carmel every six months but explained Mundelein’s need. Did send some funds, however. Mt. Carmel did not interfere with her efforts at Mundelein. Alumni sent money to Mt. Carmel.
Tape 1, Side B
0-5 minutes
Had 72 sisters at Mt. Carmel and they went by number.
Sister John Michael was especially remembered for professionalizing the account keeping of the college.
Describes the faculty under Sister John Michael: Sister Mary Richard was special from a religious life perspective, Sister Mary Augustina and Sister Mary Harrita were fine teachers. Sister Mary Basiline had to be told that she was to retire at Mt. Carmel. Sister John Michael took her to Mt. Carmel in a parlor car on the Zephyr train. Sister Mary Basiline did not speak the whole time.
5-10 minutes
Sister Mary Basiline was taken to the St. Joseph’s Sanitarium.
Sister John Michael wanted to build a residence hall but was not able to.
10-15 minutes
Sister John Michael left the college in a good financial state. She gives the credit to God.
When John Michael went in as president, there were 75 sisters. At the time, Mundelein was very regulated. There were too few there for evening chapel and Sister John Michael wanted to do something about it. She decided to change the rules about evening chapel.
15-20 minutes
She reinterpreted the rules for the benefit of all the sisters.
Sister Mary Bernarda was a great support for Sister JM. She really knew the girls, their boyfriends, husbands, children.
[End of June 9 interview]
20-25 minutes
[Beginning of June 12 interview]
Co Founder and first president of the college, Sister Mary Justicia was very open, kind, with a heart as big as her person. She was fair in her dealings and was vitally interested in what the sisters were doing as teachers.
Sister Mary Justicia was told by many that she could not build the college when she did, to that she answered, “But..I know that you will help me.”
Story of the Cardinal who came to the door because he wanted a contribution to a spiritual “bouquet” that was to be sent to the Pope which he wanted one of the Mundelein sisters (Sister Janet) to make. It wa sa ten inch white vellum book.
25-30 minutes
Describes her experience under Sister Consuela as president for three years and the return of Sister Mary Justicia who came back as president for six years. Sister Mary Justicia was followed by Sister Mary Josephine. Sister John Michael reflects on the time when was told of her succession to the presidency.
30-35 minutes
Sister MJM asked why she was appointed. She was not told why.
Tape 2, Side A
0-5 minutes
When Sister John Michael was assigned to be president, the school was in debt. Her assignment was to get it out of the red.
She wanted Mundelein to have a president and a Superior who would have distinct responsibilities. Later when Sister Mary Ann Ida Gannon took over, Sister John Michael stated this again and Gannon made the change.
Tells the story of a proposal that suggested that the University of Chicago, Loyola, and DePaul to join together to gain funds and each would have to contribute $1000.00.
5-10 minutes
Sister John Michael had to consult her board of trustees. She asked and was told to join.
The student body at Mundelein was bright but they did not realize it. Sister John Michael acknowledges three students in particular, Marjorie Frisbie, Peggy Roach, and Juanita Serafin. They were more mature than earlier students.
10-15 minutes
Reflections on the Mundelein and Loyola affiliation:
Sister Ann Ida Gannon told Sister John Michael about the affiliation with Loyola. Sister John Michael believes that Loyola was magnanimous in its willingness to take on Mundelein’s debt and expenses.
Sister John Michael does not believe that Mundelein would have been able to recover from its debts.
15-20 minutes
From the beginning, The Loyola president did not want Mundelein to build where it did. But he came the first New Year’s Day to greet the Sisters at Mundelein.
Sister Mary Justicia said that she kept a sharp eye on those “wiley Jesuits” next door.
Relays experiences with priests teaching at Mundelein, including Father Murphy and Father Clarke.
Index
Mary John Michael Dee 1999 Index
KEY
MJMD 1999= Mary John Michael Dee 1999 Interview
INDEX
Cardinal Mundelein, MJMD 1999 T1 A 20-25, MJMD 1999 T1 A 25-30
Chicago Superintendent of Police, MJMD 1999 T1 A 20-25
Columbia University, MJMD 1999 T1 A 5-10
Educational Psychology, MJMD 1999 T1 A 10-15
Father Clarke, MJMD 1999 T2 A 15-20
Father Murphy, MJMD 1999 T2 A 15-20
Ford Foundation, MJMD 1999 T1 A 25-30
Frisbie, Marjorie, MJMD 1999 T2 A 5-10
Immaculata High School, MJMD 1999 T1 A 15-20
Jesuits, MJMD 1999 T2 A 15-20
Kansas City, MJMD 1999 T1 A 0-5
Loyola President, MJMD 1999 T2 A 15-20
Manual High School, MJMD T1 1999 A 0-5
Mount Carmel, MJMD 1999 T1 A 30-35, MJMD 1999 T1 B 0-5
Mundelein/ Loyola Affiliation, MJMD 1999 T2 A 10-15
Mundelein Alumni, MJMD 1999 T1 A 30-35
Mundelein College, Dedication MJMD 1999 T1 A 20-25
Mundelein College Board of Trustees, MJMD 1999 T2 A 5-10
Mundelein College Evening Chapel, MJMD 1999 T1 B 10-15
Mundelein opening, MJMD 1999 T1 A 10-15
Mundelein presidency, MJMD 1999 T1 B 25-30, MJMD 1999 T2 A 0-5
Mundelein Superior, MJMD 1999 T2 A 0-5
Roach, Peggy, MJMD 1999 T2 A 5-10
Serafine, Juanita, MJMD 1999 T2 A 5-10
Sister Consuela, MJMD 1999 T1 B 25-30
Sister Irma Corcoran, MJMD 1999 T1 A 5-10
Sister Mary Ann Michael Gannon, MJMD 1999 T2 A 0-5, MJMD 1999 T2 A 10-15
Sister Mary Augustina, MJMD 1999 T1 B 0-5
Sister Mary Basiline, MJMD 1999 T1 B 0-5, MJMD 1999 T1 B 5-10
Sister Mary Bernarda, MJMD 1999 T1 B 15-20
Sister Mary Columba Kriebs, MJMD 1999 T1 A 5-10
Sister Mary Ernesta Lacey, T1 1999 A 0-5
Sister Mary Francine Gould, MJMD 1999 T1 A 5-10
Sister Mary Harrita, MJMD 1999 T1 B 0-5
Sister Mary Josephine, MJMD 1999 T1 B 25-30
Sister Mary Justicia Coffey, MJMD 1999 T1 A 5-10, MJMD 1999 T1 B 20-25, MJMD 1999 T1 B 25-30
Sister Mary Richard, MJMD 1999 T1 B 0-5
Sister Mary Sylvester Geisler, MJMD 1999 T1 A 5-10
Sister Mary Verena Griffin, T1 1999 A 0-5
Skyscraper building, MJMD 1999 T1 A 10-15
St. Joseph’s Sanitarium, MJMD 1999 T1 B 5-10
St. Mary’s High School, MJMD 1999 T1 A 20-25
University of Chicago, Loyola University, Mundelein College joint funds, MJMD 1999 T2 A 0-5
University of Michigan, MJMD 1999 T1 A 5-10
KEY
MJMD 1999= Mary John Michael Dee 1999 Interview
INDEX
Cardinal Mundelein, MJMD 1999 T1 A 20-25, MJMD 1999 T1 A 25-30
Chicago Superintendent of Police, MJMD 1999 T1 A 20-25
Columbia University, MJMD 1999 T1 A 5-10
Educational Psychology, MJMD 1999 T1 A 10-15
Father Clarke, MJMD 1999 T2 A 15-20
Father Murphy, MJMD 1999 T2 A 15-20
Ford Foundation, MJMD 1999 T1 A 25-30
Frisbie, Marjorie, MJMD 1999 T2 A 5-10
Immaculata High School, MJMD 1999 T1 A 15-20
Jesuits, MJMD 1999 T2 A 15-20
Kansas City, MJMD 1999 T1 A 0-5
Loyola President, MJMD 1999 T2 A 15-20
Manual High School, MJMD T1 1999 A 0-5
Mount Carmel, MJMD 1999 T1 A 30-35, MJMD 1999 T1 B 0-5
Mundelein/ Loyola Affiliation, MJMD 1999 T2 A 10-15
Mundelein Alumni, MJMD 1999 T1 A 30-35
Mundelein College, Dedication MJMD 1999 T1 A 20-25
Mundelein College Board of Trustees, MJMD 1999 T2 A 5-10
Mundelein College Evening Chapel, MJMD 1999 T1 B 10-15
Mundelein opening, MJMD 1999 T1 A 10-15
Mundelein presidency, MJMD 1999 T1 B 25-30, MJMD 1999 T2 A 0-5
Mundelein Superior, MJMD 1999 T2 A 0-5
Roach, Peggy, MJMD 1999 T2 A 5-10
Serafine, Juanita, MJMD 1999 T2 A 5-10
Sister Consuela, MJMD 1999 T1 B 25-30
Sister Irma Corcoran, MJMD 1999 T1 A 5-10
Sister Mary Ann Michael Gannon, MJMD 1999 T2 A 0-5, MJMD 1999 T2 A 10-15
Sister Mary Augustina, MJMD 1999 T1 B 0-5
Sister Mary Basiline, MJMD 1999 T1 B 0-5, MJMD 1999 T1 B 5-10
Sister Mary Bernarda, MJMD 1999 T1 B 15-20
Sister Mary Columba Kriebs, MJMD 1999 T1 A 5-10
Sister Mary Ernesta Lacey, T1 1999 A 0-5
Sister Mary Francine Gould, MJMD 1999 T1 A 5-10
Sister Mary Harrita, MJMD 1999 T1 B 0-5
Sister Mary Josephine, MJMD 1999 T1 B 25-30
Sister Mary Justicia Coffey, MJMD 1999 T1 A 5-10, MJMD 1999 T1 B 20-25, MJMD 1999 T1 B 25-30
Sister Mary Richard, MJMD 1999 T1 B 0-5
Sister Mary Sylvester Geisler, MJMD 1999 T1 A 5-10
Sister Mary Verena Griffin, T1 1999 A 0-5
Skyscraper building, MJMD 1999 T1 A 10-15
St. Joseph’s Sanitarium, MJMD 1999 T1 B 5-10
St. Mary’s High School, MJMD 1999 T1 A 20-25
University of Chicago, Loyola University, Mundelein College joint funds, MJMD 1999 T2 A 0-5
University of Michigan, MJMD 1999 T1 A 5-10
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