SISTER MARY MICHAEL (MARY CHARLOTTE) CONNELLY PORTLAND – Sister Mary Michael (Mary Charlotte) Connelly died Oct. 26, 2007. She was born in Bangor, the daughter of Francis and Mary Bell Connelly. A member of St. John’s Parish, she received her early education in Bangor and graduated from John Bapst High School. She then enrolled in Mercy Hospital’s first nursing class in 1943, acquiring an registered nurse license in 1946. After a period of employment as a registered nurse at Mercy, she would continue her studies at St. Joseph’s College and Connecticut School of Pharmacy, first becoming a qualified assistant and eventually a registered pharmacist. While at Mercy Hospital in 1955, she entered the Sisters of Mercy, beginning her religious formation, as well as working at the Mercy. Sister was received as a member in 1956, making her Profession of Final Vows in 1963. Sister M. Michael would remain at Mercy until her assignment to Madigan Memorial Hospital in 1964. Here, she opened a pharmacy and, while there, became a consultant for Aroo-stook County Hospital Pharmacy. After the closure of the Madigan in 1974, Sister returned to Portland, undertaking the position of Head Nurse at the Motherhouse Infirmary/Retirement Unit. Under her leadership, the infirmary went through some renovations. In 1979, Sister received her chaplaincy after studying Clinical Pastoral Education at St. John’s Regional Health Center, Springfield, Mo. Reassigned to Mercy Hospital in this capacity in 1980, she would remain until her retirement in 2005. Her service has been classified as “extraordinary.” She was twice nominated for the Jefferson Award, in recognition of her outstanding public service in Maine, relative to Pastoral Care at Mercy. After more than 60 years in health care in her various capacities, Sister personified well the powerful words of her religious motto, “You Visited Me.” It is with added joy that she was able to celebrate her Golden Jubilee as a Sister of Mercy with her blood sister, Sister Mary Gemma Connelly, also a Sister of Mercy, who had entered nine years earlier. She was predeceased by a brother, Francis; and nieces, Joanne and Ann Rocheleau. Sister Mary Michael is survived by her sister, Sister Mary Gemma Connelly; sister-in-law, Lucia; nephews, Robert, Peter and James; great-nephews, John, Joseph, William and Andrew; and by her Sisters in Community. “Wherever Sister was, she always extended herself beyond her ministry to the marginalized, the widowed, and those with no family by inviting them to Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinner, often numbering 20 people. She graciously walked with those who had plenty as well as those who had less. This is attested to by the presence of the diversity of those who visited her during her last hours, many of whom came to thank her for her presence in their lives.” Visiting hours will be held 1-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, and 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at St. Joseph’s Convent, 605 Stevens Ave., Portland. A concelebrated Mass of Christian burial will be held 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at St. Joseph’s Convent Chapel. Interment will be held 8 a.m. Wed-nesday, Oct. 31, at Sisters of Mercy lot, New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister Mary Michael’s name may be made to Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund, 605 Stevens Ave., Portland, ME 04103 or Mercy Hospital Pastoral Care Department, 144 State St., Portland, ME 04101. Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. Online con-dolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com
SISTER MARY MICHAEL (MARY CHARLOTTE) CONNELLY
