A Legacy of Love and Service

Barb Hemberger • July 21, 2025

The Saint Therese Auxiliary Lives On

Auxiliaries. It's a word you don’t hear much anymore. But in their time, these volunteer groups played a vital role, offering fundraising, advocacy, and hands-on help to the causes they supported. They became especially prominent during World War I, when communities rallied around hospitals and the war effort, and continued into peacetime, backing civic and charitable organizations.


At Saint Therese, that spirit took root in 1967, when a group of women formed the first Auxiliary to support the residents of our senior community in New Hope. Their guiding mission was to promote the Christian philosophy of total patient care to older adults and to interpret that care through programs that benefited the community.


Nearly sixty years later, their work, their friendships, and their legacy are still being felt—even as the group prepares to formally disband.


For longtime members like Mary Hartkopf and Sharon Dukinfield, being part of the Saint Therese Auxiliary was more than volunteering—it was a calling. Hartkopf began her journey in 2002, having made it one of her personal goals to serve at Saint Therese. Dukinfield joined not long after.


“It felt like being part of something bigger than ourselves,” Sharon said. “We weren’t just giving time, we were making a difference.” From the care center to the apartments, the Auxiliary stepped up. “If there was a need, we tried to fill it,” said Mary.


And fill it they did. At its peak, the Saint Therese Auxiliary had well over 250 members. These volunteers ran the gift shop, hosted social events, funded innovative programs, organized fundraising efforts that directly supported residents’ needs and hosted outings for residents that weren’t able to get out as much, such as Twins games and lunch at The Sunshine Factory. Their gifts over the years included specialized furniture, a 12-seat bus, umbrellas for the patios, an organ, decorations, innumerable TVs, art and music therapy programs and new technology.


Now, with fewer than ten active members and a shifting organizational structure—including the transfer of ownership of New Hope—the Auxiliary can no longer operate as it once did. Yet its impact is far from over. The spirit of the Auxiliary will live on through two permanent endowment funds for Minnesota-based communities, ensuring the work of these dedicated volunteers continues for generations.


  • The Saint Therese Auxiliary Caring Fund Endowment was created to support residents struggling to afford senior care. The principal of the endowment is $85,000, and each year a portion of the fund’s investment earnings will be distributed to help those in need—ensuring the gift continues to give in perpetuity. “We realized people were having a tough time and we wanted to continue helping in a way that would last. It represents who the Auxiliary was—something lasting, something we can feel good about,” said Mary and Sharon.


  • The Donna Stelmaszewski Auxiliary Endowment Fund, funded through a bequest from a beloved member, ensures entertainment and resident life parties—those little extras that bring joy—will continue. “Donna was our party person,” Mary recalled with a smile. “She brought in money for resident events.” The current principal amount is approximately $56,000 and like the above Caring Fund endowment, only a portion of the annual earnings is distributed—providing ongoing support for programming Saint Therese might not be able to fund.


While the group may be dissolving, its mission has been carefully, lovingly preserved. “This was homegrown,” said Sharon. “From day one, this was about people caring for people.”


The women of the Saint Therese Auxiliary stand on the shoulders of those who came before them—women like Betty Hidding, Ursula Choromanski, Pat Popp and Mary Dotyondy and so many others.


The Auxiliary may no longer gather, but its legacy lingers in the halls, the laughter at resident events, and the quiet comfort of knowing that someone cared enough to leave something behind.


“It’s hard,” said Dukinfield. “It feels like losing a part of yourself. But we know we’ve done something good.”


And that good will carry on — for generations to come.



Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in The Rose, The Saint Therese Newsletter, Spring/Summer 2025

Stay Connected


Search All Posts


About

At Saint Therese, our heartfelt purpose since 1968 has been a people first approach to living well by providing senior care and services where every life we touch feels welcomed, respected, and heard. We achieve this by doing ordinary things with extraordinary love every single day. Contact us to learn more. 

By Barb Hemberger August 29, 2025
“There is no timetable for grief; it unfolds in its own way, in its own time.” – Unknown On August 30, we pause to honor Grief Awareness Day—a reminder that grief is both universal and deeply personal. At Saint Therese senior living communities, grief is not an abstract idea. It is woven into the daily lives of residents, families, and caregivers alike. To better understand this journey, we spoke with five of our pastoral care directors, who accompany people through life’s most difficult transitions. At Saint Therese, we are proud to have full-time pastoral care directors in our communities, ensuring that compassionate spiritual support is always present. Their reflections remind us that grief is not something to “get over,” but something to live with, honor, and grow through. Grief in Daily Life at Saint Therese Each director shared that grief extends beyond the moment of death. It includes the loss of independence, the decline of health, the move into senior living, or even the passing of a fellow resident or staff member. Duane Bauer of Saint Therese of Woodbury emphasized the importance of normalizing grief. “What would it be like if you didn’t grieve your spouse? We grieve because we were in relationship. A new normal has to come out of it.” His role, he says, is to listen more than talk, to walk alongside without judgment, and to create sacred moments of farewell such as “sacred sending” rituals for families and staff. John Ilkka at Saint Therese of Oxbow Lake speaks about grief as a deeply personal and non-linear process. He emphasizes that there are no “magic words” to take away someone’s pain. Instead, his role is to listen, provide space, and reassure people that whatever they are feeling is valid. “The simplest thing is, whatever you’re feeling is ok. Grieving takes time, and it’s hard work,” he shared. For John, honoring grief means letting people lead the way—sometimes needing presence, sometimes needing space—and always being authentic. Beth O’Hare-Fisher at Saint Therese – IHM Senior Living often encounters grief during visits, when new residents open up about the loss of a spouse or sibling. She organizes Circles of Sharing, where residents gather to name and remember those who have died. For her, the key is acknowledging loss and affirming feelings without rushing the process. Mollie Dvorak of Saint Therese of Corcoran speaks passionately about anticipatory grief—the mourning that begins even before a loved one passes. She uses books like Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss, and The Invisible String to help residents and staff process emotions. For her, grief is not something to fix, but something to witness with compassion. Mary Lou Swinerton of Saint Therese St. Mary of the Woods adds that grief is a life event that encompasses the whole community. “It requires that we recognize that our Saint Therese community is bigger than our specific place. The entire community—residents, families, and staff—grieve. We must recognize this collective grief, name it, and honor it. It may be a sudden death of a resident’s son across the country, a memorial service for a resident’s loss, or even the bittersweet moment when someone leaves the community to be closer to family. Journeying with residents and staff in grieving means understanding that grief is not a one-size-fits-all event.” Together, these directors show us that grief is not just about endings—it is also about presence, memory, and care. Gentle Practices for Navigating Grief From these conversations, five guiding practices emerge: 1. Give Yourself Permission Grief doesn’t follow a timetable. It can show up as sadness, anger, relief, or even laughter. Whatever you’re feeling is valid. 2. Tell Your Story Sharing memories of a loved one keeps their presence alive. Whether in a support group, a circle of remembrance, or over coffee with a friend, storytelling helps heal. 3. Lean into Community As Duane noted, grief is less overwhelming when shared. Find a faith group, a grief support circle, or simply a trusted listener. 4. Practice Self-Care Grief can exhaust body, mind, and spirit. Be gentle with yourself. Rest, eat well, pray or meditate, and allow space for your own healing. 5. Embrace the “New Normal” Life after loss will not be the same—but in time, it can hold meaning again. The journey is not about “moving on,” but about moving forward. A Shared Journey At Saint Therese, grief is not something to be avoided. It is something to be honored—with listening ears, compassionate presence, and rituals of remembrance. As our pastoral care directors remind us, grief is a sign of love, and love always has the final word.
By Barb Hemberger July 29, 2025
At Saint Therese of Woodbury , a unique group of residents gathers twice a year not just to sing—but to connect, inspire, and celebrate the joy of music. The Saint Therese of Woodbury Choir, the only choir across all Saint Therese communities, offers two one-hour concerts each year—one in December with a Christmas theme, and a second during the summer. This year's summer performance, held in June, was called “ Music from the Movies ” and featured beloved classics including Que Sera Sera, The Bare Necessities, Tuxedo Junction and Singin’ in the Rain. Residents and guests filled the chapel for a heartwarming program filled with nostalgia, harmony, and connection. Founded in 2018 by Therese Stecher , a lifelong pianist and retired critical care nurse, the Woodbury choir started with just 10 members and has now grown to 24 dedicated singers. “The biggest fear people have is they haven’t sung in so long, they think they can’t do it,” Stecher says. “But the muscles that control the vocal cords—you just need to work them.” Stecher arranges each songbook specifically for aging voices and emphasizes that this is not simply a singalong group. “We’re here to learn a show,” she says. “The expectations are high, but the reward is even greater.” The choir practices for months before each performance.
By Barb Hemberger June 16, 2025
Generational Connections Changing Lives