- September 4, 2025
By Sarah Baker, Assistant Director of Communications with assistance from Claude.ai
Earlier this year, after four years of dedicated service, Sue Allender retired from her position as housekeeper at the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Motherhouse. At 81 years old, Sue’s retirement marks the end of an era — one defined by unwavering commitment, deep friendships and a profound connection to the CSJ community that has become like her second family.
Sue began working at the motherhouse in 1984 at the age of 40. The working conditions at that time were quite different from today. "We didn't have the pushcarts," Sue recalls with a laugh. "We had these little things that you see in the store where you put your supplies in with little handles, but then we'd have to run back to the closet for a mop or anything because we didn't have any way to carry that stuff.
It was Sister Marion Renkens, motherhouse administrator from 2000-2017, who championed getting proper equipment for the housekeeping staff, ensuring they had the same pushcarts used at the hospitals. This improvement was just one example of the sisters' care for their employees that would define Sue's experience over the next four decades.
Sue witnessed significant changes during her tenure, from the dark, gloomy halls of the early years to the beautiful renovations that transformed the motherhouse. She worked through major rehab projects, particularly remembering the extensive restoration and renovation of the motherhouse in the early 2000s that provided many updates to the building, including private bedrooms and bathrooms for the sister residents — improvements Sue felt they richly deserved.
What set Sue's experience apart was the family atmosphere created by the sisters and staff. She fondly remembers the Christmas celebrations of her early years when the sisters would transform the dining room into a wonderland complete with Santa Claus (played by Sister Michael Therese Bauer).
"All the workers would bring their families and children to see Santa," Sue recalls. "The sisters would stay up all night long wrapping gifts for everybody. It was really nice meeting your coworkers' families. We all felt like we were family — we were closer because we got to know everybody."
The birthday celebrations were equally special, with employees gathering in the back of the dining room "like we were at the Last Supper," sharing cake and singing together. These moments of community created lasting bonds that Sue treasures to this day.
In 1992, Sue became a CSJ Associate, joining the Medaille II Associate Community, transforming her relationship with the sisters from professional to personal.
"Before I became an associate, I wasn't communicating as close to the sisters because they were more at a distance from me," Sue explains. "After I became an associate, it seemed like they moved in closer to me. I became pretty personal with several of them, and I learned more about them. I respected them more because they were no different than I was, really. They're people just like we are."
As an associate, Sue found herself feeling like "a sister with them," sharing in their charism of love of God and neighbor without distinction. The Holy Family Chapel became her favorite room in the motherhouse — a place where she felt peaceful and sensed the presence of deceased sisters.
Throughout her career, Sue developed meaningful relationships with sisters who became lifelong friends and mentors. She speaks warmly of Sister Mary Anne Smith, who served as her associate mentor, and numerous others who provided support during difficult times in her personal life.
The relationships she built weren't limited to the sisters. Sue worked closely with maintenance staff and other employees, sharing laughs and even pulling the occasional harmless prank.
Sue's work ethic was legendary among her colleagues. She recalls climbing tall ladders in the chapel to clean the high window sills and dust the saints that once adorned the walls. Her fearlessness with heights and attention to detail were matched by her sense of humor and camaraderie with fellow staff members.
Sue's decision to retire came after a health scare that reminded her of life's precious nature. "I think the good Lord was telling me, 'Sue, it's time you slow up,'" she reflects.
While retirement has been an adjustment, Sue remains connected to the motherhouse community. Living across the street from the motherhouse, she continues to feel invested in the wellbeing of the place that was her second home for so long.