The Ursuline Sisters of Toledo, Ohio Archives is dedicated to the collection and preservation of the history, spirituality and ministry of the Ursuline Sisters, in order to extend their legacy and witness to their mission in the spirit and vision of their foundress, St. Angela Merici.

The Archives of the Ursuline Sisters of Toledo, OH

4045 Indian Road

Toledo, OH 43606

419-536-9587

Archives Processor

Brandi Sharlow

bsharlow@toledosua.org

Sister Contact

Sr. Donna Frey

419-536-9587

dfrey@ursulinecenter.org

Research Questions – please contact either of the above.

Snapshot From the Past

Grace Julie Bartley, born in Toledo, attended St. Mary’s school and completed her high school at Scott High School. She entered the Ursuline Convent in 1914 before the move to Collingwood Blvd. Her higher education included courses at St. John’s University, Columbia University, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, Cornell University, Catholic University of America, and Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. Sister Victoria had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and took in as much as time would allow. She was a world traveler, going to the Holy Land, Italy (following the places visited by St. Angela Merici), most of Europe, Asia, Africa, India, and many more places in the United States. For many years, she collected money and books for the Ursulines in Alaska. At the end of every school year, she gathered text books from high schools and elementary schools to send to the missions in Alaska. On one of her trips to Montana, she followed Mother Amadeus’ steps and visited the missions in Alaska. She was very happy that she made the trip because she found out that the Alaskan missions had more, newer and better text books than we did in the “lower 48” as they received financial help from the Federal Government coffers which seemed endless.

After that trip she spent her time and collected money for missions in Africa and India. She wanted to be a missionary in Africa or India and wrote to several bishops there. She received a reply that she was too old to be a missionary in Africa. Insulted by this reply, Sister Victoria concentrated on India. She visited there – Delhi and other large cities and found out that they could use help but the noise 24 hours a day was unbearable. She came home somewhat down but not out of the game.  She had friends all over the world and was a delightful companion to any Sister when they went on trips – long or short. Sister Victoria wrote specific instructions for her funeral and arrangements. Most of them were carried out but some “slipped” by the editor. Sister Vickie died on May 14, 1984.