Abby Dunlap-Hundt and Paula Wills shared the honors Friday, September 22 as both were named the 2023 Saint Katharina Kasper Award Recipients at the Coworker Awards Luncheon. Abby is Dietary Services Manager, and Paula is the Executive Director of HealthVisions Midwest. Both ladies are longtime coworkers with the Poor Handmaids.
Abby began her career as a Dietary Service Aide at the former Catherine Kasper Home and worked there for 1½ years before moving to the Motherhouse as a cook. She did that for the next two years before becoming a float cook, working at either the Motherhouse or CKH kitchen, wherever she was needed. In 2014, Abby was promoted to Dietary Services Manager. In all her roles, service to others is the common theme. “Give me a job, and I’ll do it. I don’t care what my title is,” she said.
Coworkers who nominated Abby noted that she “is a consistent and perennial volunteer with the PHJC Volunteer Food ministry. At Christmas and Easter, she does additional cooking for delivery to those served by the PHJC Volunteers to ensure that all of God’s children can celebrate the holidays with a great meal and a feeling that they’re not alone and forgotten.”
As she presented Abby with the Saint Katharina Kasper Award, Sister Shirley Bell declared, “I know Saint Katharina is smiling from ear to ear! Abby, you are the epitome of unassuming love and service.”
Paula, who could not be present at the awards since she was attending her cousin’s funeral, began her career with the Poor Handmaids in 1989 as a Director of Social Services at Saint Mary Hospital in East Saint Louis, Illinois. It was there, according to Sister Shirley, that Paula used her gifts and talents as a licensed clinical social worker to help thousands of families. In 2004, Paula founded HealthVisions Midwest in East Saint Louis, and in 2018, she became executive director of all three HVM branches.
Paula is also an ordained minister and Jesus Christ is the center of her life. “Words without actions would never cross Paula’s mind,” said Sister Shirley. “She lives all four core values through her actions. Your dedication, passion, and energy pour out of you wherever you go.”
Paula noted she was humbled, honored, and wished she could be there in person to accept the award. “The values of Saint Katharina are so important to me. I try to live these out,” Paula said. “She walked with Christ, so this (award) says ‘Yeah, you’re doing it.’”
Also at the awards, numerous coworkers received their service awards, including long time cowokers Dawn Herford, 40 years; Gaylene Engle, 35 years; Roger Heck, 25 years; and Joe Ukinski, 20 years. That’s a whole lot of dedicated service.
Congratulations Paula and Abby!