SULLIVAN, RSM PORTLAND – Sister Mary Johnette Sullivan (Mary Elizabeth), 90, died peacefully at Mercy Hospital, Portland, Jan. 26, 2004, where she ministered from its opening until her retirement in 1989. She then did volunteer services until her full retirement in 1991. She was born in Eastport, she was educated at Shead Memorial High School and Beal Business College in Bangor. Prior to her entrance into the Sisters of Mercy in 1939, she was employed at Madigan Memorial Hospital, Houlton, where she worked in the Business Department. Her involvement in the healthcare ministry continued after her entrance through positions at Queens Memorial Hospital, Portland (the forerunner of Mercy Hospital). Sister was among the first Sisters of Mercy to welcome patients to the new facility. At the new facility she was the director of materials management, overseeing such departments as housekeeping, food service, oxygen therapy, maintenance, and security, to name a few as well as being instrumental in the completion of three major construction projects. Sister Mary Johnette continued her education through courses from St. Joseph’s College, Standish, Westbrook Junior College, Purchasing Institute, and the Catholic Hospital Association. She held membership and participated in both the American Society and the National Association of Hospital Purchasing and Materials Management, Maine Hospital Association, American Hospital Association and the New England Conference of Catholic Hospital Association. Among the boards Sister served on were the Board of Overseers of St. Joseph’s College and the Mercy Endowment Foundation. Sister Mary Johnette was well known for her lifelong dedication to the Boston Red Sox. Her office always displayed the schedule of games for the current year. Sister was highly respected by the sales representatives who frequented her office and felt that they were fairly treated by her. She was known for her sense of humor and could be heard laughing by passersby. She was predeceased by her parents, John Edward and Winnifred Esther (Vose) Sullivan; and her sisters, Margaret Bullock, Catherine Chandler, Ruth Love and Regina Farrell. She is survived by her brothers, Msgr. Edwin V. Sullivan of Caldwell, N.J., Dr. John E. Sullivan of Eastport; and a sister, Mrs. Thomas (Joan) Dorrity of Caldwell, N.J.; several cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews; and her Sisters in Community. Visiting hours will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Convent, 605 Stevens, Avenue, Portland, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Joseph’s Convent, Stevens Avenue, Portland. The Most Rev. Joseph J. Gerry, OSB, will preside. Burial will be in New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Memorial gifts may be made to the Retirement Fund for the Sisters of Mercy, 605 Stevens Avenue, Portland, ME 04103. Arrangements by Conroy-Tully Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland.
SISTER MARY JOHNETTE
