In memoriam: Sister Mary Dorothy Calhoun

ST. LOUIS – Sister Mary Dorothy Calhoun, RSM passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Joan Marie Calhoun was born on Dec. 31, 1933; predeceased by parents, John Worthing Calhoun (1943) and Dorothy Louise Tremoulet Calhoun Brundige (1992); sister, Dorothy Calhoun Jackman (1982); brother, John Worthing Calhoun, Jr. (2015); and stepfather, William Hart Brundige (1955). Survived by brother, William Hart Brundige Jr; nieces and nephews, John Daniel Jackman, Jr., MD; Michael Calhoun Jackman; Joan Jackman Becker; Worthing Francis Jackman; John Worthing Calhoun III; Catherine Clann Calhoun; Susan Calhoun Waggoner; William Hart Brundige III and John Dudley Brundige.

Sister Mary Dorothy (Joan) was a graduate from Holy Name of Jesus School and Mercy Academy, and entered the convent in 1952 at the Mother of Mercy Novitiate, St. Louis Province; graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, 1958; B.S Nursing, St. Louis University, 1960; Masters in Hospital Administration, St. Louis University, 1968; Certification in Clinical Pastoral Education, Baptist Hospital, New Orleans, 1990.

Sister Dorothy’s (Aunt Sis’) life of dedication (nursing, administration, ministry) included supervisor of obstetrics, delivery, nursery, OR, ER and director of nursing services at Mercy facilities in New Orleans, Brownsville, Texas, St. Louis, Missouri and St. Paul, Minnesota (1958-1967); administrator (CEO/CFO) Mercy Hospital New Orleans (1968-1973); administrator (CEO/CFO) St. John’s Hospital Springfield, Missouri (1973-1977); administrator (CEO/CFO) Mercy Health Center Laredo, Texas (1977-1980); Director of Pastoral Services for Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Hospital New Orleans (1981-1992) and St. Joseph’s Mercy Health Center Hot Springs, Arkansas (1992-1995); Pastoral Care Chaplain Hot Springs (1995-2014); Volunteer at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, Arkansas (2014-2020). Sister Dorothy’s past two years were spent in prayer and works of mercy, in loving care with the retired Sisters of Mercy in St. Louis.

In the Diocese of Jackson, Sister served in ministry and on the board of Mercy Hospital in Vicksburg.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022 in the chapel of Catherine’s Residence in St. Louis; interment in Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis. Donations in memory of Sister Mary Dorothy Calhoun RSM are appreciated, to Catherine’s Residence Ministry Fund, Sisters of Mercy – The Americas, 2039 N Geyer Road, St. Louis MO 63131, attention Sister Richard Mary Burke, RSM.