Sister Penny Pauline Prophit

Sr. Penny Prophit, FMOL, entered this life on February 7, 1939 and entered eternal life on August 3, 2021. She joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady order on August 31, 1958 and made her Perpetual Profession on February 11, 1961.

In her earlier years as a Franciscan, she followed the traditional pattern, working first as a clinical nurse, and later serving a head nurse, doing supervisory work at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. Through this experience, she developed a strong interest in psychiatric nursing. Pursuing her chosen ministry, she went on to earn Graduate and Postgraduate degrees, culminating in a Ph.D. from Catholic University of America. Following her completed academic work, she began working at Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans. She then became a Professor at Catholic University of America in Washington, the University of Southern Mississippi at Hattiesburg, and the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Following, she served abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and the Catholic University at Louvain in Belgium. Her experience as an international consultant on mental health led her to work with the National Institute of Health at Bethesda, Maryland, the World Institute of Health at Copenhagen, Denmark, the Lanarkshire Health Board in Scotland, and the National Institute of Mental Health at Rockville, Maryland. A very prolific researcher, publisher and presenter, she has contributed much valuable information and experience to countless medical audiences. She is listed in the Who’s Who of American Students, the Who’s Who of American Women, and the Who’s Who of International Educators. During her career as a professor, she has served on over forty Masters’ and Doctoral committees. She was a member of a number of professional and honorary organizations, including Sigma Theta Tau, The National Nursing Honor Society, Delta Epsilon Sigma, The National Catholic Honor Society, Sigma Epsilon Phi, and The Catholic University of America Society.

Sr. Penny will be missed by many. She is survived by her Franciscan family, and her sister Dr. Patty Lillis. Sr. Penny was preceded in death by her parents, Alston C. Prophit and Hortense Calehan Prophit. Sr. Penny will be long remembered for the thoughtful art of conversation that she enjoyed so much, her faith in God, her Franciscan vocation, Psychiatric Nursing background, leadership skills and compassion for others.

The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady extend sincerest appreciation to Sr. Penny’s many friends who visited her, called her on the phone, and prayed with her and for her.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 9, 2021 at St. Francis Chapel (4200 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00, with the Rosary at 12:00 noon, and a Mass of Christian Burial to follow. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Dr. Richard Vath, Mr. Scott Wester, Mr. Pete Guarisco, Mr. Hunter Richardson, Mr. John Finan, and Mr. Eddie Albin. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, 8300 Constantin Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.