Sister M. Elizabeth Corry, 91, led Lourdes

Sister M. Elizabeth Corry, 91, a Franciscan nun who was president of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden from 1969 to 1983 and again from 1987 to 1995, died Saturday, Feb. 7, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, N.Y., after a stroke.

Alexander J. Hatala, president and CEO of the medical center's parent, Lourdes Health System, said in a statement, "She led the institution through critical periods of growth and change.

"Simply put: Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center would not be here if it were not for Sister Elizabeth."

Hatala, who succeeded her as medical center president in 1995, said that "Sister Elizabeth Corry was a Franciscan woman of faith, wisdom, vision, courage, and grace who dedicated her life to serving all of God's people, especially the poor."

In a phone interview, Hatala recalled that when Sister Corry came to Lourdes, "Camden was going through a transformation, like a lot of urban centers, with a major outpouring of commercial entities and population.

"Sister realized that the only way to stay in the city of Camden, which she was extremely committed to, was to build regional services to attract physicians and people.

"I think she was a great visionary leader," said Hatala. "She was also a very caring person and connected with people from all walks of life."

Michael Camardo, chairman of the Lourdes board of trustees, recalled her as "a fantastic woman."

In the 1970s, when he met her, he said "the Lourdes board was all sisters. She had the vision to say that there were not going to be enough sisters around to fill the board" in coming years.

"So she put three laypeople on the board," one of them being Camardo.

Today, he said, "we have a board of about 20," but only three are sisters.

Camardo noted that "bringing cardiology capability to Lourdes is the most significant thing that she accomplished. It's a world-renowned cardiology program."

In 1995, the American Hospital Association awarded Lourdes its Foster G. McGaw Prize, given to hospitals that "improve the health and well-being of everyone in their communities."

A Lourdes spokeswoman said Sister Corry also established an outpatient dialysis unit and a center for organ transplants, among other efforts.

"But her special focus was on caring for the poor and underserved," said spokeswoman Jennifer McGowan-Smith.

Sister Corry was responsible for opening Lourdes' Osborn Family Health Center, Child Development Services, Wellness Center, and The Bridge, which deals with at-risk teenagers, she said.

Each year since 2002, the hospital has given its Sister M. Elizabeth Corry Award to a Lourdes staff member for dedication to its mission.

She left Lourdes in 1983 to attend to a family matter, but returned to lead it again in 1987.

Born in Jersey City, Sister Corry was captain of the girls' basketball team at St. Michael's High School there.

In 1948, she entered the religious order known as the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, earned a bachelor's at Fordham University in 1961, and a master's in hospital administration at Columbia University in 1966.

After working as an administrator at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in New York City from 1958 to 1961 and at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Boston from 1961 to 1964, Sister Corry did an administrative residency at the University of Pennsylvania in 1965 before becoming an assistant administrator at Lourdes in 1966.

She is survived by seven nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass took place Thursday, Feb. 12, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany.

A memorial Mass and life celebration at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden were being planned for an undetermined date in the spring.

Donations may be sent to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, 115 E. Main St., Allegany, N.Y. 14706.

Condolences may be offered to the family at the above address.