Sister M. Elizabeth Corry
Sister M. Elizabeth Corry, OSF, president of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center for 22 years and the driving force behind its evolution from a community hospital to a regional tertiary care center, died Feb. 7 at age 91.
Lourdes welcomes community members to celebrate her life at a memorial Mass on Saturday, April 11, at 10 a.m., at the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, 1600 Haddon Avenue in Camden.
A reception will follow the memorial Mass.
One of the few female hospital executives in the region, Sister Elizabeth served as president of Lourdes from 1969-83 and 1987-95. She had been President Emeritus since 1995.
“Sister Elizabeth Corry was a Franciscan woman of faith, wisdom, vision, courage and grace who dedicated her life to serving all of God’s people, especially the poor,” said Alexander J. Hatala, Lourdes Health System president and CEO. “She led the institution through critical periods of growth and change. Simply put: Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center would not be here if it were not for Sister Elizabeth.”
Over the years, Sister Elizabeth recruited physicians, built clinical programs and expanded the hospital in size. But her special focus was on caring for the poor and underserved.
She established the Osborn Family Health Center, Child Development Services, The Bridge (a program for at-risk teens) and other community outreach programs.
In 1995, her commitment was recognized as Our Lady of Lourdes was awarded the coveted Foster G. McGaw Prize, presented annually by the American Hospital Association to one hospital in the nation in recognition of its outstanding achievements and dedication to community health improvement. Our Lady of Lourdes remains the only New Jersey hospital to achieve this honor.
Each year, Lourdes recognizes Sister Elizabeth’s commitment to the health system and the community with the Sister M. Elizabeth Corry Award, the highest honor given to a staff member for his or her dedication to its mission.
Those interested in attending the memorial Mass and reception are asked to RSVP at 856-757-3006 by April 7 so that proper seating arrangements can be made.
Sister Rose Schimizzi, MPF
After a long illness, Sister Rose Schimizzi, MPF, 92, died March 19 at St. Joseph Hall, Villa Walsh, Morristown, N.J.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 23 at the St. Lucy Chapel at Villa Walsh, Morristown, N.J. Interment was at Ave Maria Cemetery.
Sister Rose entered the Religious Teachers Filippini in 1940, and received her habit in 1941, and made her religious profession in 1944.
Predominantly a middle school teacher, Sister Rose taught 6th grade at St. Joseph in Hammonton, 1950-55 and later worked as an elementary administrative assistant there from 1975-76.
She taught and served as principal at other schools in New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Sister Rose retired at Villa Walsh in 2007 and became a resident at St. Joseph Hall Infirmary in 2011.
She is survived by her sister, Sister Catherine Schimizzi, M.P.F., of Villa Walsh and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Donations in memory of Sister Rose Schimizzi may be sent to St. Joseph Hall, c/o Sister Ascenza Tizzano, MPF, Provincial Superior, Villa Walsh, 455 Western Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960.
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