Sister M. Lourdes Lawler, R. S. M.

On September 20, 1950, death came to the Sisters of Mercy at Dubuque,
Iowa, for the third time within four weeks, claiming on that date
Sister M. Lourdes Lawler, R.S.M., of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.

In June 1886, Sister M. Lourdes Lawler was born near DeWitt, Iowa, of
Irish-born parents, Thomas and Alice Clippard Lawler.  In 1907 she
entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Mercy in Dubuque.  She made
her profession of perpetual vows, January 6, 1910.  Soon after, Sister
was assigned to Sioux City, Iowa, where she remained eleven years as
floor and laboratory supervisor.  when the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
opened in Detroit nearly thirty years ago, she was appointed its first
superior. Later she served in this capacity at Ann Arbor and Pontiac,
Michigan, at Mason City, Iowa and in St. Joseph Mercy Hospital,
Dubuque. At the beginning of her last illness, she was preparing to
take charge of the new St. Ann Hospital in Algona, Iowa.  In several
institutions, Sister rendered eminent service as procurator, doing all
things in an orderly and efficient manner.

The childlike piety of Sister M. Lourdes was remarkable. It was
particularly noticeable during the pioneering work she was called upon
to do in Detroit, when she credited the Little Flower for all the
success achieved.  Transforming the Samaritan Hospital, bought from the
Jewish people, into a Christian Mercy institution was one of her
accomplishments.  The confidence Sister had placed in the Saint of the
little way was rewarded by numerous conversions she happily
witnessed. Sister sought above all the kingdom of God and of His
justice, and all things were added unto her in a successful
administration, the benefits of which are felt to this day in the
present St. Joseph Mercy Hospital of Detroit.

Although obedience never called her to do formal teaching, one could
learn from Sister the precious lessons of patience and charity she
exemplified. Those who have known Sister at work and at prayer are
confident that, as she had pleaded in daily prayer, "her mortal life
closed in the true Faith and in communion of the Catholic Church, and
in perfect love and charity with all mankind."

Sister M. Lourdes leaves three brother and two sisters to mourn her loss. Her parents and one sister preceded her in death.


Retyped from records of the Sisters of Mercy.

"Clippard" is how this obituary and other records of theirs spelled
her mother's name.