Sr. Frances Ellsperman, OP

Sr. Frances Ellsperman, OP, (Sister M. Ruth), died on July 22, 2024, at Regina Health Care Center
in Richfield, OH. Born to Ruth Starr and John Ellsperman on February 14,1929 in Wooster, OH,
she had two younger siblings: John and Rose Mary.

She was taught by the Dominican Sisters at St. Mary Grade School in Wooster and at Our Lady of
the Elms High School in Akron. In her junior year, she entered the Dominican congregation and
made first profession in 1948. She received her BSE from St. John College in Cleveland and taught
grade school at St. Dominic in Youngstown, St. Vincent in Akron, St. Augustine in Barberton and St.
Matthew in Akron. When she returned to St. Dominic, she studied at Youngstown University with a
National Science Foundation Grant. Frances became the principal at St. Matthew and then at St.
Agnes in Orrville.

In 1972, health issues had her move to Kingman, AZ, where she taught at St. Mary then at St.
Daniel in Scottsdale, AZ. There she began as administrator of the school followed by Religious
Education Coordinator and teacher, while studying for her MA in Education at Arizona State
University. After 18 years at St. Daniel, during which time she completed a MA in Religious
Education from the Kino Institute, she moved to Corpus Christi Parish in Phoenix, AZ as Pastoral
Associate.

Health concerns brought her back to the Akron Motherhouse in 2014. Needing more care, in August
of 2020 she moved to Regina Health Care Center. Frances was a gracious woman, always greeting
others with a warm, engaging smile. She enjoyed sports, reading, knitting and needlework. During
her final years in AZ, she volunteered at nursing homes bringing her joy and inspiring spirit to all she
met. She made friends easily and was a loyal friend to all. The congregation is grateful to the caring
staff at Regina and to her niece, Beth Anne, and husband, Bill, for their gracious attention and care.

The funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Elms Motherhouse, 1230 W. Market St., Akron, on
Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 10:30AM followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron.

Memorial gifts honoring her life may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission
Advancement, 2320 Airport Drive, Columbus, OH 43219 or submitted securely at oppeace.org.

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