Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Sister Theodora Slot, who died in Vrijland, Holland, on 20th August 2025
Theodora Slot, daughter of Joannes and Maria Slot, was born in December 1931 in Holland, the seventh child of a large and loving family. Two of her brothers became Mill Hill Missionaries. In December 1954, she entered the congregation in Roosendaal before travelling to Altrincham. Her early years in religious life were spent at Mill Hill colleges, where she offered her service sewing and cooking before pursuing training as a nurse and midwife.
Once qualified, she travelled to Borneo in 1966, where she spent three years tending to the sick with skill, kindness and enthusiasm. In 1969, when she was elected to the General Council, she returned to England and was appointed Superior at Mill Hill, London and later at Broughton Hall. When her time on the council ended, she embraced a new mission in Ecuador, going to El Guasmo to live among and serve “the poorest of the poor.” When offered a small, newly built convent in an area at the entrance to the El Guasmo slum, she chose to go further into the most destitute parish she could find. She established a dispensary in a small building, made of cane, offering basic medical care. She later secured the means to build a proper dispensary and a convent, ensuring that the local community had access to medical and dental care.
After 10 years in Ecuador, in 1993, she was elected Superior General. This meant leaving her beloved El Guasmo, where her preferential option for the poor was radical and without compromise. Her absence was deeply felt, and years later, she is still remembered with affection and gratitude. Following her term as superior general, she continued her ministry as a nurse caring for Mill Hill Missionaries at Herbert House, Freshfield for another six years before returning to her homeland, the Netherlands, to Vrijland.
Beyond her formal roles, Theodora’s kindness shone most in the quiet, unseen moments. One woman, who trained alongside her as a midwife, recently recalled her own fear of going out at night when called to a delivery. Sister Theodora would offer to go with her, and together they would set off into the night.
Those who knew Sister Theodora remember her not only for her hard work and dedication, but for her unwavering commitment to a simple life, her deep love for the poor, her personal physical, moral and spiritual strength and her enduring devotion to St. Joseph. She gave of herself fully, wherever she was needed, leaving behind not only buildings and services, but a legacy of compassion, service, and faith in action.
May she rest in peace.
The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, 26th August at 11:00 CET at the chapel of St Jozefhuis, Oosterbeek. It can be followed livestream at: https://vimeo.com/event/2882273
