Sister Pacis Bao, OSF (age 104), died today at 6:25 a.m. at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, IL.

Sister Pacis, the former Catherine (Bao Yuan Ying), was born in Fei cheng Bao-kia-tang-tze, Shan-Tung, China, on April 8, 1921, the daughter of Bao Tsing Ben and Bao Chang Shih. She entered the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on September 8, 1944, and professed her religious vows on September 24, 1947, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Jinan, China. On May 12, 1948, she and several of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis serving there fled China and sailed on the SS General Meigs to San Francisco, CA. They arrived at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, on June 5, 1948.

Sister Pacis was a 1963 graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing. She served as a nurse at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, and St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay, WI. On August 8, 1968, she and four other Chinese Sisters began caring for the sick in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, at the Star of the Sea Clinic. Sister Pacis served there until August 2002, at which time she returned to Springfield.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters and four brothers. She is survived by her great-nephews and their families, as well as her Franciscan Sisters, with whom she shared her life for more than 80 years.

The Visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with a Wake Service at 6 p.m. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Joseph Jiang on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel with burial in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery at St. Francis Convent.

Feature story

Staab Funeral Home will oversee arrangements.

Sister Sherrey Murphy, OSF (age 83), died on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 8:20 a.m. at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, IL.

Sister Sherrey was born in Mitchell, SD, on June 15, 1942, the daughter of Francis A. and Eileen A. (Dunn) Murphy. She entered the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on September 5, 1965, and professed her first vows on August 22, 1968.

Sister Sherrey’s religious life encompassed a variety of ministries. Most notably, she served the international congregation of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis in Muenster, Germany, as the General Superior from 2006-18 and as a General Councilor from 1994-2006. Before this, she held responsibilities in administration, vocations, and formation at St. Francis Convent, along with nursing and administration responsibilities at St. Vincent Hospital (Green Bay, WI), St. John's Hospital (Springfield, IL), and St. Mary's Hospital (Decatur, IL).

Sister Sherrey was a 1963 graduate of St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing, Sioux City, IA. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Marillac College in 1970 and a master’s degree in administration from the University of Notre Dame in 1988.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, James Murphy. She is survived by sisters Colleen Moerke and Peggy Fischer; brothers Patrick, Michael, and Daniel; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, as well as her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for 61 years.

The Visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2026, with a Wake Service at 6 p.m. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel with burial in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery at St. Francis Convent.

Butler Funeral Home will oversee arrangements.

2004 Feature

Sister Mary Kelly, OSF, (age 93), died on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, IL.

Sister Mary was born in Kincaid, IL, on July 27, 1932, the daughter of Clarence and Mary Rose (Ferrari) Kelly. She entered the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on September 12, 1951, and professed her first vows on June 13, 1954.

Sister Mary was a 1955 graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Marquette University in 1958 and a master’s degree in nursing from The Catholic University of America in 1965. Her life of service included nursing leadership at Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin, nursing education at Marillac College (St. Louis, MO), Provincial Vicaress and Motherhouse Superior of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, the board of directors of HSHS, and a receptionist at HSHS.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Clarence Kelly. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Lea Kelly; nieces Sue (Jon) Werger and Karen (Gregg) King; a nephew, Paul (Cindy) Kelly; several great nieces and nephews; several great-great nieces and nephews; and several cousins, as well as her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for 71 years.

The Visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, December 8, 2025, with a Wake Service at 6 p.m. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Richard Chiola on Tuesday, December 9 at 10:00 a.m. in the St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel with burial in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery at St. Francis Convent.

The Franciscan Sisters and family of Sister Mary Kelly are being served by Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.

Feature story from 2007

Sister Mary Evelyn Lamb, OSF (age 102) died on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at St. Francis Convent. Sister Mary Evelyn was born in Aud, MO, on December 27, 1922, the daughter of James Earl and Hada (Mantle) Lamb. She entered the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on September 8, 1949, and professed her first vows on June 13, 1952.

Sister Mary Evelyn was a 1958 graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Quincy University (1956) and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Sangamon State University (1975).

Sister Mary Evelyn served in nursing at HSHS hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin and at St. Francis Convent. In addition, she served at Springfield & Sangamon County Community Action, Alverna Home Nursing Center, Chicago, IL, and at Interfaith Caregivers, Eau Claire, WI, where she was the assistant director. Sister Mary Evelyn returned to St. Francis Convent in 1995.

She was preceded in death by her parents and six brothers: Melvin Mark, James Earl II, Paul David, Dale George, Walter William, and Robert Owen, and two sisters: Earline Lucy Lamb and Sister Jane Marie Lamb, OSF. She is survived by a brother, Charles Joseph (Kansas City, MO), and two sisters: Sister Jamesine Lamb, OSF (Springfield, IL) and Esther Brandt (Kansas City, MO), and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, as well as her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for over 70 years.

Services and burial will be at St. Francis Convent. The Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. with a Wake Service at 6:00 p.m. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Gregory Dick, O.Praem, on Friday, June 27, 2025 at 10 a.m. in the St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel, and burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.

Butler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Feature story from 2004

Each year, we celebrate Jubilee - the anniversary of a Sister’s profession of first vows. We give thanks to God for our four Jubilarians who celebrate their Jubilee.

We congratulate Sister Thomas Kundmueller, OSF, as she observes her 75th Jubilee.


Email her a greeting
Education and Ministries
Feature Story from 2003

We congratulate Sister Carol Sue Daniel, OSF, as she observes her 60th Jubilee.


Email her a greeting
Education and Ministries
Feature Story from 2002

We congratulate Sister Marilyn McCormick, OSF, as she observes her 60th Jubilee.


Email her a greeting
Education and Ministries
Feature Story from 2005

We congratulate Sister MaryAnn Falbe, OSF, as she observes her 60th Jubilee.


Email her a greeting
Education and Ministries
Feature Story from 2011

Remarks from Sister Maureen O’Connor, OSF, Superior

Today, January 6, 2025, we begin the celebration of our 150th anniversary – a historic year for our community. 150 years ago, in the year 1875, the Kulturkampf raged with ever-increasing violence in Prussia and we had to fear that we would be banished just like other religious. Bishop Peter Baltes of Alton, Illinois, felt that the time had come to supply a pressing need of charitable Sisters who would provide health care services in his diocese. He wrote to the Motherhouse in Muenster, Germany to request they consider sending Sisters for this opportunity. In a letter from Mother General Bernhardine to Bishop Baltes, she explained that his appeal was granted because the acceptance of new members had become impossible due to the new religious laws. From this letter, our story in America begins and may this candle shine throughout this anniversary year as a symbol of our legacy.

Following the letter to Bishop Baltes, Mother Bernhardine sent a letter requesting volunteers to serve in America, and 20 Sisters were chosen. On the 6th day of each month, we will commemorate this anniversary. The 6th day of the month is significant because it was on November 6, 1875, that our 20 founding Sisters arrived in Alton, IL. Those 20 Sisters were brave and selfless as they walked into an unknown land. While we cannot know all the hardships they faced, we are certain of the results of their labors. The legacy they established has brought Christ’s healing presence to many people over these 150 years and the hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin are a living example of what their trust and perseverance brought to life. As we embark on this year-long celebration, let us be thankful for those first sisters. The candles that will be brought forward will be shared with our 4 hospitals who also are celebrating their 150th anniversary this year. Representatives from the hospitals will visit here in the upcoming months.

In honor of the founders of St. John’s Hospital (Springfield, IL):
Mother Angelica, Sister Cyrilla, Sister Basilia, Sister Crispina, and Sister Ulrika

In honor of the founders of St. Francis Hospital (Litchfield, IL):
Sister Augustina, Sister Fridolina, and Sister Rosa

In honor of the founders of St. Anthony’s Hospital (Effingham, IL):
Sister Euphemia, Sister Fortunata, and Sister Franziska

In honor of the founders of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital (O'Fallon, IL):
Sister Gerburgis, Sister Jovita, and Sister Silvana

In honor of the Sisters who served in Alton, IL:
Sister Zosima and Sister Macaria

In honor of the Sisters who served in East St. Louis, IL:
Sister Rolendis, Sister Henriette, Sister Aurelia, and Sister Cassiana