Sister Mary Labouré Morin, R.S.M. Obituary (1931 - 2016)

Portland- Sister Mary Laboure Morin, RSM, (Evangeline), 85, of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, died peacefully at St. Josephs Residence and Rehabilitation on Thursday, November 18, 2016. Sister M. Laboure was born of a French Canadian family in Island Pond, Vermont, the daughter of Ozanam and Mildred Clark Morin. Following her graduation from Sacred Heart High School, Newport, VT in 1950, she enrolled in the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Portland, Maine. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1953 as a registered nurse, and later continued her professional education with a BSN from Marquette University, and a MS in Psychiatric Nursing from Boston College. Sister was noted for her skill as Operating Room Supervisor, Med-Surg Clinical Instructor, and Master Teacher of Psychiatric Nursing in the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. She also taught in the Nursing Department of Saint Josephs College. At other times, Sister served her Mercy Community as Formation Director, Renewal Team Member, and Ministry Director. Being very generous with her time and skills, Sister was often sought out for individual counseling. During those years, she also served as Trustee of Mercy Hospital, Saint Josephs College, McAuley Education Center, Cheverus High School, and Holy Innocents Home Care Service. From 1984 through 1998, Sister Mary Laboure was an elected leader of her religious community, first as Vice President, followed by two terms as President. A major achievement was to bring about the change from an independent congregation to participation in the formation of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of the Americas in 1991. She played a vital role in helping to refound the Portland Regional Community for the future by engaging in greater collaboration with the other 24 regional communities of Sisters of Mercy in North, Central, and South America, and some Pacific islands. Despite the heavy administrative responsibilities, she gave of herself unstintingly to the concerns of the Sisters. Another of Sister Laboures contributions was her focus on continued strong sponsorship of the Maine Mercy Communitys four institutions. She oversaw the first expansion of McAuley Residence, a womens transitional housing program, and strengthened the board, program and enrollment at Catherine McAuley High School. At Saint Josephs College she gently guided the higher education leadership, engaged in fundraising for expansion, laid the groundwork for more effective mission integration, and encouraged building a strong Board of Overseers. In healthcare she expended much energy in guiding Mercy Hospital into the co-sponsored Eastern Mercy Health System (EMHS), and in developing Mercy Health System of Maine. She dared to look to the future beyond a stand-alone Catholic hospital to move later to a more viable collaboration co-sponsored by the newly formed Catholic Health East System, which was composed of Eastern Mercy Health System and other religious community healthcare institutions. In 1999 Saint Josephs College honored Sister Laboure Morin with an honorary degree for her accomplishments in leading the Sisters of Mercy through challenging years of growth and development in the ministries of education and healthcare in the State of Maine. Her Sisters rejoiced at the recognition, for they knew her loving service throughout her life emanated from living out her religious motto: She who loves, labors not. Sister Mary Laboure was predeceased by her parents and brothers Woodman Miner, Sr. and Merriman E. Young. She is survived by her nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and former students, and her Mercy Community. Visiting hours will be held from 2:00-7:00 PM, on Monday, November 21, 2016, with a Prayer Service at 6:00 PM, at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the Funeral Home at 9:45 AM on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM, at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland. The Most Rev. Robert P. Deeley, J.C.D., as principal celebrant. Burial will take place at a later date. To view Sister Laboures memorial page or to share an online condolence please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Mercy Hospital, 144 State St., Portland, ME 04101 or the Sisters of Mercy, 966 Riverside St., Portland, ME 04103