Sister Michael Marie (Mary Lois) Williamson, CSC

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Sister Michael Marie (Mary Lois) Williamson, CSC

December 23, 1924 ~ May 4, 2021

Sister Michael Marie died on May 4, 2021 at Saint Mary’s Convent. The day before she died, those who had entered the convent with her in 1948, kept vigil for her in prayer. Sr. Michael Marie was the “mother” of their entrance band, Our Lady Queen of Peace.

Lois Williamson was already a registered nurse when she entered the convent at Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana from Sewickley, Pennsylvania on January 24, 1948, having graduated from Mount Carmel Hospital School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio the year before.

Her Initial Profession of Vows was on February 2, 1951. Sr. Michael Marie was fully prepared professionally to instruct student nurses in Holy Cross hospitals in Idaho, Utah and California from 1951 to 1967, having completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Saint Mary’s College in 1951 and a Master of Science degree in Nursing Administration at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1964. Sr. Michael Marie’s primary assignment was Saint Mary’s Convent at the motherhouse for 20 years, 1967-1987, as director of nursing service. In 1979, she earned a clinical specialty in geriatric nursing from Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. From 1988 to 1996, she was assigned to Our Lady of Holy Cross Convent in South Bend, Indiana as the assistant superior and nursing administrator in the Moreau Region facility for retired sisters. She served in various positions of leadership, lastly in 2000-2005 as area councilor for retirement communities and as administrative staff member at Saint Mary’s Convent, Notre Dame, until 2006.

Sister was a proud Red Cross volunteer nurse. During this time of global pandemic, we pray that health care workers will be strengthened in their good works and that public health be supported as a human right.  

Sr. Michael Marie’s name will now be listed among the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross’ beloved dead so she can be remembered with affection on the anniversary of her death. May her ministry of healing continue in Holy Cross in ways old and new.

A Mass of Resurrection was celebrated at the Church of Our Lady of Loretto on May 13.  

Those who would like to may donate in Sr. Michael Marie’s name to the Ministry with the Poor Fund at www.cscsisters.org.