Frances Gussenhoven, R.S.H.M.

Message from the President

July 17, 2024

Dear LMU Community:

I am saddened to share that Frances Gussenhoven, R.S.H.M., ’52, M.A. ’61, emeritus professor of English and former associate director of LMU’s Center for Ignatian Spirituality, passed away on July 14, 2024, at Regina Residence in Orange, California, after a brief illness. She was 93 years old.

Sister Frances joined Marymount College in 1967 as an English professor. Following her retirement from teaching in 2002, she accepted a position with the Center for Religion and Spirituality. After serving the university for 43 years, she concluded her full-time work and continued providing spiritual direction remotely from her residence. LMU Magazine featured her contributions in a conversation titled “Frances Gussenhoven, R.S.H.M. Reflects on Retirement.”

She is the author of “Shakespeare's 'Taming of the Shrew' and Chaucer's ‘Wife of Bath’: The Struggle for Marital Mastery,” which reflected the focus of her scholarship. Among the courses she taught, her trademark “The Canterbury Tales” prepared students to participate in our on-campus Renaissance Fair (an annual event for many years) as would-be Canterbury pilgrims.

Sister Frances was in the 76th year of her religious profession. She entered the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary in 1946 in Tarrytown, New York, and professed her first vows in 1948, beginning her lifelong devotion to her faith and her sisters. She earned her B.A. from Marymount College, M.A. from Loyola University, and Ph.D. from Stanford University.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Scholarship, c/o Vilaloy Warlick, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Suite 2800, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Plans to celebrate Sister Frances’ life and career will be shared in the coming days.

Please keep Sister Frances, her family, her religious sisters, and her many friends in your prayers.

Sincerely,

Timothy Law Snyder, Ph.D.
President