Sr. Suzanne Noffke, OP, a Racine Dominican author and linguist, went home to God on Tuesday, April 14 after a long illness. She was 83 years old. Born Ione Noffke, she entered the aspirancy at 15. At 18, she was received into the Congregation received the name Sister Suzanne. A few years later she began teaching and earned a bachelor’s degree from Dominican College and a doctorate in linguistics from the University of Wisconsin- Madison.
She went on to serve as president of the community, as well as a translator, writer and historian, but was best known as one of the world’s leading experts on Saint Catherine of Siena. She lectured internationally and led numerous retreats based on the life and thought of Saint Catherine. She also published annotated translations of all of Catherine’s extant works (The Dialogue, 1980; The Prayers, 1983; The Letters of Catherine of Siena, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2008), and a two-volume thematic Anthology (2011), a book of essays (Catherine of Siena: Vision Through a Distant Eye, 1996, 2006), and numerous articles.
In an interview, Sr. Suzanne said, “Every phase of my ministry has been exciting and filled with meaning for me, but especially meaningful has been my work with making accessible to others our community history and the life and thought of our patron, Catherine of Siena.” She shared her knowledge and wisdom generously throughout her lifetime.
Please hold Suzanne, her family and her many friends in your thoughts and prayers and love. May she rest in peace.
Sr. Suzanne’s body will be cremated. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
I was very privileged to attend Sr Suzanne’s lectures at Siena Center. Thank you, Sister.
As a relatively new Lay Dominican who is currently reading St Catherine, through the help of Sr. Suzanne, I am saddened to learn of her recent passing and so grateful for the fruit of her wisdom and scholarship- May she Rest In Peace.
Suzanne was an amazing preacher and beautiful human being. She followed in the footsteps of Dominic and Catherine, humble teacher and companion in the ongoing search for Gentle Truth. She now intercedes for us in the company of the communion of saints.
In her scholarship and in her person, Suzanne Noffke embodied the mottos of the Order of Preachers: Her research was meticulous, her interpretation vivid and filled with insights that opened the reader to the truth (veritas) she found; her work on Catherine of Siena taught us all so much, Sister Noffke showed us a woman who preached, praised, and blessed the name of Jesus. May Catherine along with the angels greet her in Paradise.