Athaleen Baum
Racine Dominican Associate
Racine Dominican Associate Athaleen (Athy) Baum danced into eternal life on August 6, 2026 at Aurora Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin at age 87. She was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 1939. She became an LPN in 1977, and entered the Racine Dominican vowed community in August 1978, making her final profession in 1988.
Athy earned her BA from Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin in 1991, and served both as an LPN and a Racine County Jail chaplain. She also directed the Racine Dominican Associates from 1982-1998. Athy withdrew from vowed life in 1999. After moving to Florida, she continued her chaplain ministry as well as maintaining her close relationships with the Racine Dominican community. She requested and made her Racine Dominican Associate commitment in 2006. Her sponsors were S. Karen Vollmer and Associate Jan Jedlicka.
Eventually, Athy moved back to the Racine area. Outgoing and articulate, Athy was a dynamic, persistent presence in study groups, peace rallies, and at Racine’s Coalition for Peace and Justice. In numerous statements dating back to 2005, Athy said, “I am a Racine Dominican and always will be.” She ministered in a variety of roles, even up to and after her retirement. Athy maintained a joyful attitude throughout numerous health crises, saying her chief ministry was “prayer and love.”
