Sr. Elizabeth Mary Burns, RSM, died peacefully at the age of 97 surrounded by her Sisters at St. Bernadine Home, Fremont, Ohio, on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. She was born March 3, 1927, in Estherville, Iowa, the daughter of Bernard A. and Violetta (Brennan) Burns.
A nurse, educator, healthcare leader and writer, Sister Elizabeth Mary was a Sister of Mercy for 77 years.
Following in the footsteps of her nurse aunt Sister Mary LaSalette Ruddy, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1946 and quickly became a nursing supervisor at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque and then at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Sioux City, IA where she later became Director of the School of Nursing. From 1963-73, she chaired the Nursing department at Mercy College of Detroit and served on the leadership team of the Province of Detroit from 1990-98.
As Director of Health Services for the Sisters of Mercy, Province of Detroit from 1973-77, she was instrumental in developing the proposal for the Sisters of Mercy Health corporation in 1976. From 1977-87 Sister Elizabeth Mary was the President and CEO of Marian Health Center in Sioux City, IA.
Sister received a diploma in nursing from St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing, Sioux City, IA; a B.S. in Nursing from Mercy College in Detroit; an M.S.N. in Nursing Administration from Wayne State University, Detroit, and an Ed.D. from Columbia University, NY.
The recipient of several awards for her healthcare service, Sister Elizabeth Mary also served on numerous boards including the Catholic Hospital Association; Sisters of Mercy Health Corporation; Mercy Health Services (chair); Briarcliff College, Sioux City, IA; and St. Mary College, Omaha, NE.
As a writer, Sister Elizabeth Mary authored the obituaries of the Detroit/Iowa Sisters for more than two decades and, in her 90’s, published three articles in the National Catholic Reporter. She also wrote poetry and other reflections. A woman of great faith who loved life, Liz enjoyed reading, writing, playing cards and entertaining friends with her cooking.
While in the hospital last spring, she announced her decision to enter hospice care to friends Sisters Bernadette Mary and Maureen Mulcrone saying that, as much as she loved life, she was at peace. Together they sang these lines from one of Liz’s favorite hymns:
“I am with you on the journey and I will never leave you.
I am with you on the journey, always with you.”
Welcoming Service - Monday, Aug. 19, at 4 p.m. Sister's funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday morning, Aug. 20, at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. All services will be held at St. Bernardine Home, 1220 Tiffin St., Fremont, Ohio.
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
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