40th Entrance
Sister Sherri A. Coleman
Birthplace: Bonne Terre
Entrance: 1979
First profession: 1982
Final profession: 1988
Education: Associate’s in business administration, Jefferson Junior College, 1977
Bachelor’s in communication, Saint Louis University, 1985
Certification in Reiki, 1st degree, Georgia Vratney Healing Arts Center, 1987
Certification in massage therapy, Healing Arts Center, 1994
Master’s in communication research, Saint Louis University, 1998
Certification in reiki, 2nd degree, Georgia Vratney Healing Arts Center, 2004
Service in the archdiocese: Public relations, SSM Health Care Corporate Office, St. Louis, 1985-87
Community relations assistant and volunteer coordinator, SSM Rehabilitation Institute, 1987-88
Director of community relations, SSM Rehabilitation Institute, 1988-96
Public relations manager, SSM Rehab, 1996-2001
Councilor and congregational secretary, FSM Leadership Team, 2001-07
Certified therapeutic massage therapist, PRISM, St. Louis, 1994-present
About Sister Sherri A. Coleman: Being a Franciscan Sister of Mary is a great joy to me. I also enjoy moments of deeper sharing with my FSM sisters when we gather to discuss articles or consider the gifts FSM brings to the world. My work on the Focus Implementation Group is exhilarating to me. Our FSM Focus is compassionate care of creation in collaboration with others. Throughout my 30-plus years in public relations, interacting with others has always been a big part of my work. Whether it be patients, staff, family members, co-workers, media, organizations, or businesses, I like involving others in stories I’ve written, news segments I’ve coordinated. I love volunteering, playing tennis several time a week, and going to the movies. And my year isn’t complete unless I get to the ocean — it’s a favorite place for retreat. Family time is also fun time!
60th Entrance
Sister Patricia (Sister Mary Christella) Haarmann
Birthplace: Effingham, Ill.
Entrance: 1959
First profession: 1962
Final profession: 1967
Education: Bachelor’s in psychology, Saint Louis University, 1966
Master’s in dietetics, Saint Louis University, 1971
Licensure as nurse aide, South Carolina Tech College, 1998
Service in the archdiocese: Student, dietetics, St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis, 1959-66
Dietetic internship, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, 1966-67
Administrative dietetics, St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis, 1967-71
Certified nurse assistant, Anna House (skilled nursing), The Sarah Community, 1999-2000
Certified nurse assistant, CSJ Care, St. Louis, 1999-2014
Service outside the archdiocese: Dietary supervisor, dietary director, assistant executive director, St. Eugene Hospital, Dillon, S.C., 1971-96
About Sister Patricia Haarmann: Besides my brother and five sisters and their spouses, I have 21 nieces and nephews, 50 great-nieces and -nephews, and a great-great-niece and -nephew, all of whom I see regularly and enjoy tremendously. Their photos adorn my walls, and their intentions keep my prayer grounded and realistic. My parents and grandparents passed on love of family as an inheritance greater than anything else they could have given us. In South Carolina and at our motherhouse I enjoyed planting flowers and using them for chapel and special events. Now retired, I like the quiet atmosphere at The Sarah Community. I love the opportunity to serve as sacristan and fixing flowers for feast days. The friendships we have here are priceless. I enjoy reading mysteries, working Sudoku puzzles, playing cards, visiting family members, making pressed flower cards, and enjoying the peacefulness of this place.
Sister Margaret Ann (Sister Marie Dolores) Jackson
Birthplace: Ironton, Mo.
Entrance: 1959
First profession: 1962
Final profession: 1967
Education: Bachelor’s in medical technology, Saint Louis University, 1968
Master’s in medical technology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 1974
Master’s in public health, University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, 1980
Master’s in social work, Saint Louis University, 1997
Service in the archdiocese: Student, laboratory, St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis, 1959-66
Laboratory, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, 1966-68
Instructor, Medical Technology, Saint Louis University, 1974-78
Assistant, Department of Planning and Projects, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, 1980-82
Strategic planning associate, St. Joseph Health Center, St. Charles, 1986-90
Counselor, Midtown Catholic Charities, St. Louis, 2009
Counselor, Community Alternatives, St. Louis, 2009
Caseworker for people with AIDS, Places for People (formerly Community Alternatives), St. Louis, 2009-13
Counseling therapy as licensed clinical social worker, Casa de Salud, St. Louis, 2016-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Laboratory supervisor, St. Mary’s Hospital, Jefferson City, Mo., 1968-73
Executive director, Arcadia Valley Hospital, Pilot Knob, Mo., 1983-85
Family caseworker, Missouri Hotel Shelter, Springfield, Mo., 1991-95
Family services counselor and human services specialist, South Carolina, 1997-2005
Director, San Juan Catholic Charities, Farmington, N.M., 2006-09
Counselor therapist for families and children, Caritas Family Solutions (foster care system), Belleville, Ill., 2013-16
About Sister Margaret Ann Jackson: I enjoy sewing, drawing, and painting. I love spending time with nature. I didn’t realize how much I missed the Ozarks of southeastern Missouri where my family lived until a group of us started driving in that direction. My family’s farm is in Reynolds County, Mo. Providing therapy has given me the greatest joy and satisfaction of all my ministries. It is a privilege to be part of their lives. The greatest blessing God has given me is to be an FSM. In a special way, this congregation is my family. We learn from each other, support each other, and grow humanly and spiritually.
Sister Marita Anne Marrah
Birth name: Shirley Ann Marrah
Birthplace: St. Louis
Entrance: 1959
First profession: 1962
Final profession: 1967
Education: Bachelor’s in speech pathology, Saint Louis University, 1966
Master’s in speech pathology, Saint Louis University, 1968
Service in the archdiocese: Speech pathology student, St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis, 1959-68
Speech/language pathologist, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, St. Louis, 1968-2007
Supervisor, Speech Department, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, St. Louis, 1994-98
Councilor, FSM Leadership Team, 2007-11
Volunteer, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center
Board member, CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) of Jefferson County, 2007-present
About Sister Marita Anne Marrah: As I celebrate 60 years, I reflect on what God has called me to in the past and is calling me to now. While missioned to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, I taught children with communication disorders how to talk. These years were the love of my life, a time to give back the gift Cardinal Glennon gave me . . . for I too had a communication disorder. Glennon and the FSM made treatment possible for me, not as a child but as an adult. The sisters’ presence also inspired my vocation to become a Franciscan Sister of Mary. At CASA we train volunteers to mentor foster children, allowing advocates to be sworn in and bring recommendations directly to the judge. We serve more than 100 foster children in a county with over 700 in foster care. (In 2018 she received the National CASA Board Member of the Year Award in recognition of her work for foster children.) While my time in ministry is winding down, it is life-giving to know that to the end of my days I will continue in mission, to be the presence of the loving, serving, compassionate, healing Jesus.
Sister Priscilla (Sister Mary Samuel) Weber
Birthplace: Roxbury, Wis.
Entrance: 1959
First profession: 1962
Final profession: 1967
Education: Nursing diploma (RN), St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing, Madison, Wis., 1957
Bachelor’s in nursing (BSN), Saint Louis University, 1967
Service in the archdiocese: Nursing student, St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis, 1959-66
Student nursing supervisor, St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis, 1966-67
Supervisor, Sisters’ Infirmary, St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis, 1967-70
Medical nursing supervisor, St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis, 1971-77
Nurse, CSJ Care, St. Louis, 2011-13
Service outside the archdiocese:
Nursing service in Dillon, S.C., and Baraboo, Wis.
Development specialist, St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison, Wis., 1984-91
Nurse (RN) and nurse coordinator, St. Mary’s Adult Day Health Center, Madison, Wis., 1991-2001
Pastoral associate and parish nurse in Madison, Wis., 2001-11
About Sister Priscilla (Sister Mary Samuel) Weber: My prayer life as a Franciscan Sister of Mary brings me great joy I look forward to spending time in prayer each day. I loved my ministry as a nurse. For FSM, our SSM Health system, and Catholics, whenever people have needs — spiritual, emotional, health care needs — we’re called to be there for them. In health care, we get people at a vulnerable time in their life. We place our resources and ourselves so we can be there and heal their injuries and support them. I have enjoyed caring for the people — you get to know them, their families, their lives. I loved listening to their stories. Since moving to The Sarah Community, I have kept busy volunteering — staffing the gift shop, helping out in chapel, driving sisters where they need to be. I also enjoy working puzzles, playing cards, and watching sports and game shows.
70th Entrance
Sister Kathleen Mary Maloney
Birth name: Mary Adelaide Maloney
Birthplace: St. Mary’s, Mo.
Entrance: 1949
First profession: 1952
Final profession: 1955
Education: Bachelor’s in nursing, Saint Louis University, 1956
Certification in respiratory therapy, University of Chicago Hospital and Clinic, 1971
Certificate in gerontology, St. Mary of the Woods, Ind., 1984
Service in the archdiocese: St. Mary of the Angels Convent, 1949-56
Floor supervisor, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, St. Louis, 1956-61
Supervisor, central supply, St. Joseph Hospital, St. Charles, 1961-68
Respiratory therapy, St. Joseph Hospital, St. Charles, 1970-73
Visiting home care nurse, Cardinal Ritter Institute, St. Louis, 1973-84
Assistant and receptionist, St. Mary of the Angels Convent, St. Louis, 1985-2005
Coordinator of health care decisions, St. Mary of the Angels Convent, 1990-91
Service outside the archdiocese: Respiratory therapy, St. Clare Hospital, Baraboo, Wis., 1969-70
About Sister Kathleen Mary Maloney: Her mission and ministry as a nurse was the love of her life, in the time she spent caring for sick children. She loves music and has often played the piano beautifully for patients and sisters. She also loves the outdoors and spent many hours on the motherhouse grounds, tending the flowers and clearing up sticks. For some years she served as receptionist at the motherhouse and cared for the linens at St. Mary’s Hospital chapel. She volunteered at the convent and at Doorways (a residential program for AIDS patients), Odilia House (a transition house for women and their children), SSM Rehab, and Our Little Haven (a residence for infants and young children with AIDS or born addicted to drugs). By 2007 she was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and she could no longer serve in those ministries. She remains in mission — the mission of presence. Her lovely smile lights up a room. She always has that beautiful smile and a word of gratitude, remembering to thank the staff, the sisters, and her family for her care and their visit.
Sister Mary Jeanice Speidel
Birth name: Mary Elizabeth Speidel
Birthplace: De Soto
Entrance: 1949
First profession: 1952
Final profession: 1955
Education: Bachelor’s in nursing, Saint Louis University, 1957
Service in the archdiocese: Surgical head nurse and night supervisor, central service, St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis, 1949-61
Central service, St. Joseph Hospital, St. Charles, 1961-62
Nurse (RN), Labor and Delivery, St. Joseph Hospital, St. Charles, 1983-87
Home health nurse, Nurses for Newborns, St. Louis, 1995-2005
Community director, skilled nursing, St. Mary of the Angels Convent (motherhouse), 2005-11
Assisting sisters and residents at The Sarah Community, recycling, volunteering at homeless shelters, 2011-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Surgical and obstetrics supervisor, Arequipa, Peru, 1962-66
Nursing supervisor, staff nurse, Clinica Santa Isabel, La Paz, Bolivia, 1966-68
Medical and obstetrics supervisor, St. Clare Hospital, Baraboo, Wis., 1968-72
Director, Mobile Medical Units in Harlingen and Raymondville, Texas, 1972-76
Nursing supervisor, Arcadia Valley Hospital, Ironton, Mo., 1976-78
ICU staff nurse and head nurse for labor and delivery, St. Mary’s Hospital, Kansas City, Mo., 1978-82
Nurse, Holy Family Birthing Center, Weslaco, Texas, 1987-94
About Sister Mary Jeanice Speidel: I take joy in helping and caring for others. I like to read but don’t have much time. I am busy helping sisters and residents, recycling, volunteering at homeless shelters, and keeping in touch with friends and co-workers. My mission in South America was a very rewarding experience. I am still in contact with several Peruvian nurses from more than 50 years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed my mission working with young nursing graduates at Holy Family Birth Center, a free-standing birth center on the southern border of Texas, which let me volunteer in a clinic in Mexico on my day off. Being present and helping moms through the birth process was seeing a miracle each time. I have been blessed with good health, and I thank God each day that I can continue to serve others at The Sarah Community. My mission is to pray and to be compassionate and loving toward all.
80th Entrance
Sister Mary Jacqueline Nelson
Birth name: Mary Virginia Nelson
Birthplace: St. Louis
Entrance: 1939
First profession: 1942
Final profession: 1946
Education: Certification as licensed practical nurse, 1959
Certification, in cardiology, 1963
Service in the archdiocese: St. Mary of the Angels Convent, 1939-51
Staff, Mount St. Rose Hospital coffee shop, St. Louis, 1951-54
Occupational therapy, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, 1962
Receptionist, St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis, 1975-76
General assistant, home care, 1976
Lobby receptionist, St. Mary of the Angels Convent, 1976-92
Switchboard receptionist, SSM Information Center, St. Louis, 1992-97
Service center associate, SSM Information Center, St. Louis, 1997-2000
Service center associate, SSM Health Businesses, St. Louis, 2001-04
Mail clerk, SSM Health Businesses, St. Louis, 2005-07
Service outside the archdiocese: Practical nurse, St. Mary’s Hospital, Jefferson City, Mo., 1954-58
Housekeeping, St. Francis Hospital, Blue Island, Ill., 1958-62
Cardiology supervisor, St. Francis Hospital, Blue Island, Ill., 1962-69
Patient visitor, St. Francis Hospital, Blue Island, Ill., 1969-74
About Sister Mary Jacqueline Nelson: My great-aunt, Sister Eulalia, was very influential in my becoming a sister and in my life before and after I entered. I especially loved walking in the convent grounds at the motherhouse or sitting on the third-floor balcony to watch the birds and admire the beauty of the flowers. I enjoyed reading the newspaper every day. I love listening to good music. In my ministry I loved working with the sick, learning new skills, and feeling I could make a difference to others. I enjoyed my time working at the SSM corporate office with another FSM, giving out the mail and talking with the employees. I love getting together and visiting with my fellow FSM at our gatherings.