She joined the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in 1936 and was known by the name, Sister Mary Gilbert until she was dispensed of her religious vows in 1973. She received her B.A. in English from Marylhurst College, and an M.A. in Journalism from the University of Oregon. She has taught at the Holy Names College, the University of Montana and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While still a nun, she taught at the University of Montana, in Missoula, from 1967 to 1979. Since her retirement in 1985, DeFrees has held residencies at Bucknell University, Eastern Washing ... more on Wikipedia