The funeral Mass for Sister Michael Marie Flannery, RSM, was celebrated June 21 at Mercy Center Chapel. Sister Michael Marie died June 17 at Catherine’s Residence. She was 87 years old and had been in the Sisters of Mercy community for 62 years.
Born in St. Louis, Sister Michael Marie graduated from Visitation Academy and entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1956. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Saint Louis University and a master’s degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She was among the first midwives in St. Louis following training at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Santa Fe, N.M.
She served as an obstetrical supervisor, administrator and director at St. John’s Hospitals in Springfield-Cape Girardeau and St. Louis for more than 30 years. In 2014, Mercy Hospital in St. Louis dedicated the labor and delivery department to Sister Michael Marie.
Following retirement, she volunteered at Wellston Center in St. Louis. She moved to Catherine’s Residence in 2011 and continued ministry as sacristan and holiday decorator along with other contributions to the community. For more than 50 years, Sister Michael Marie’s mother, Agnes Marie, made and decorated Christmas stockings for babies at Mercy Hospital. Sister Michael Marie continued this tradition with 150 stockings for newborns, and her family has decided to keep this tradition.
She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed attending games when possible, though also enjoyed watching them on television. Sister Michael Marie was dedicated to the Sisters of Mercy community, her family and her many connections at Mercy Hospital.
