Dorothy Anne Frohnapple was the third of four children of Bernard and Margaret (Connors) Frohnapple. She had two sisters, Marian and Bernadette, and a younger brother Bernard, Jr. Because their father worked nights at the Illuminating Company in Cleveland, he was at home during the day, helping his wife with chores and often taking the children outdoors for roller-skating, bicycling, and sled riding. Dorothy met the Sisters of Notre Dame as a seventh-grader at St. Francis School. Realizing God’s call more deeply, she chose Notre Dame Academy for her final two years of high school and became a postulant on February 2, 1944. At investment she was given the name Sister Mary Ronauld.
In 1945, she began an educational ministry that spanned seven decades. She taught primary grades at schools in Canton, Cleveland, Gates Mills, and University Heights, all in Ohio. She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John College, Cleveland, and a master’s degree in education from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. Her excellence in teaching brought a seven-year assignment as a demonstration teacher and mentor for student teachers at the renowned Campus School of Catholic University in Washington, DC. Sister Mary Ronauld served as principal at schools in Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia for more than 20 years. At one school, her broad vision for education doubled the school’s enrollment. At another, a family that lived 35 minutes away re-located so that each of their children could experience “the dynamic first grade teacher whose students love her, and learn by leaps and bounds.” Beginning in 2000, she was a tutor at the ND Skills Lab, first in South Euclid and then in Chardon. “I love all children,” she said. “They energize me, especially the little ones.”
In her later years she was in ministry to the Homebound and the Prayer Line, always a ready listener. She cherished visits with her large and loving family. She was an enthusiastic community member— kind-hearted and cheerful, never missing a movie or an art class in the Activities Department. Her positive outlook that looked for the good in everyone characterized her approach to all of life. When asked about her vocation, she said simply, “God calls you. I never had any regrets. Just many opportunities to grow in the love and service of the Lord.”
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 15, at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center, 13000 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH 44024. Visitation will be from 10:00 am -10:45 am. Mass will be live-streamed. Go to www.sndusa.org. Click on the Chardon Regional Center.
To make a gift in memory of Sr. Ronauld, please click here.