Sr. Charlotte Ann Van Dyke (Sr. Paulette) died on April 30, 2025 at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, at 91 years of age and after 71 years as a Sister of Providence.
She was born on September 21, 1933, in Olympia, Washington, to Edward August and Adeline Genevieve Van Dyke. As the oldest of five, she grew up in a busy household with siblings Mary, Barbara, Ann, and Kenneth. Her devout and loving family were strongly influenced by the German and Dutch heritage that shaped her family’s values and rituals.
In her early years, Sr. Charlotte was taught by Sisters of Providence at St. Michael’s School in Olympia where, in first grade, she announced she wanted to be either a Sister or an actress when she grew up.
In 1953, Sr. Charlotte was the reigning Miss Capitol Hill and slated to be a Seafair princess. Instead, she entered the Sisters of Providence community. She became a Novice in 1954, received First Vows in 1955, and Final Vows in 1958.
“I became a Sister of Providence to serve people,” said Sr. Charlotte.
After graduating from Olympia High School in 1951, she went on to earn a BSN from University of Portland inf 1963, an MBA from George Washington University in 1969, and a Juris Doctor from University of Puget Sound in 1992.
Her upbringing and her ministries demonstrate her interest in charity and justice, which defined who she was as a person. She had four very different ministries – teaching, nursing, hospital administration and law.
Her teaching ministries included St. Patrick Grade School, Walla Walla, Washington (1955-56); St. Joseph Academy, Yakima (1956-57, 1958-60); and Providence High School, Burbank, California (1957-58). She began nursing studies in 1960 and ministered at St. Joseph Hospital, Burbank (1963-66) before earning an MBA and moving into administration at Providence Hospital, Oakland, California (1969-71); Providence Hospital, Seattle (1971-72); St. Elizabeth Hospital, Yakima, Washington (1972-83); and St. Joseph Hospital, Aberdeen, Washington (1983).
After these three ministries, she went on to study law and became a trial attorney, specializing in family law. Her clients were primarily poor and paid for her services in kind. She also ministered on her religious community’s leadership team (2005-09) and served on numerous social justice boards. She was a dedicated volunteer at her parish and in her community.
Sr. Charlotte was blessed with a warm and friendly smile, insightful intelligence and clever wit. She loved life and cherished the memories of all the people that were part of her life. She was thankful for the gift of her family, and her continued friendships from her youth that have endured throughout the years. She had a passion that lived in her heart for her religious community and serving others. Sr. Charlotte liked to sing and had a contagious laugh. She is now singing and laughing in heaven. She will be immensely missed.
Her parents, and her brother, Kenneth preceded her in death. She is survived by her sisters, Mary (Joe) Gulla, Barbara (Jim) Van Dyke Shuman, Ann (Lars) Strandberg, many nieces and nephews, and her religious community.
Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, M1-C, Renton, WA 98057-9016 or by clicking the link above.