By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

READING - As director of the Ohio Province development office, Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Carol Diemunsch built a network of benefactors and directed a $6 million campaign that funded the Sisters of Notre Dame Health Center, which opened in Reading in 2002.

Her fund-raising efforts also helped support sisters working with the poor in Cincinnati, Dayton, Chicago and Phoenix.

"She had a vision of Notre Dame as a vibrant force that made a difference in the lives of young adults and poor people," said Sister Mary Ann Barnhorn, director of mission advancement. "And she never stopped caring."

Sister Carol died Thursday of cancer at the health center. She was 67.

An educator for 34 years, she taught at Summit Country Day School and Mount Notre Dame High School, where she was principal for 15 years.

"Sister Carol exemplified herself as an excellent educational leader," said Sister Rita Sturwold, president of the school. "She really gave a sense of stability and forward movement to Mount Notre Dame."

When Sister Carol became the director of the development office in 1991, she not only expertly cultivated relationships with the biggest names in the business community, but she regularly visited donors who gave more-meager amounts.

"I've had feedback from those she has visited and they dearly love her," said Michael Conaton, chairman of the development advisory board. "She's a person of God and it comes through in all her relationships."

Survivors include a niece, Jean Appleby of Benicia, Calif.; and four nephews, Mark Diemunsch of Linden, Calif., David and Daniel Diemunsch, both of Springboro; and Joseph Diemunsch of Fairborn, Ohio.

Services have been held.

Burial was in the convent cemetery in Reading.

Memorials: Sisters of Notre Dame retirement fund, 701 E. Columbia Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45215.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com