Sister Mary Regina Flatley, C.B.S.

Sr. Mary Regina Flatley, CBS, died on Aug. 23, 2021, at the age of 89 of natural causes. She died in Marriottsville, Maryland, at her home on Marian Hall, the retirement home for the Sisters of Bon Secours USA.

“I look back on the whole experience as one long journey with many milestones over 70 years. In one sense, it seems like a long time and in another sense, it doesn’t feel that long,” Sr. Mary Regina said. “I’ve been blessed by being in service with people, through nursing and care of the elderly. Service is what it’s all about. I’ve enjoyed watching people grow and sharing experiences with them as we each take steps forward on our own journeys.”

Born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1932, Sr. Mary Regina attended Blessed Virgin Mary Grade School in Darby, Pa., and Notre Dame High School in Moylan, Pa. After graduation, Mary Regina entered the Congregation of Bon Secours in 1951 and professed her final vows in 1959. She attended Bon Secours School of Nursing, received her B.S.N. from Villanova and her master’s in education with a focus on counseling from the University of Delaware. She also received a certificate in spirituality/spiritual direction from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California.

Sr. Mary Regina worked as a staff and head nurse at Bon Secours Baltimore Hospital and St. Francis Country House in Darby, Pa. She also was a clinical director in the Bon Secours School of Nursing and served as vice president of mission and associate director at Bon Secours Baltimore Hospital. She also served as vice president for mission at Bon Secours DePaul Hospital in Norfolk, Va., and was regional vice president of sponsorship for the Southeast Region while living in Venice, Fla.

“Sr. Mary Regina was the director of nursing when I was a student and was responsible for the early formation of many of us as a sister of Bon Secours,” said Sr. Elaine Davia, area leader of the Sisters of Bon Secours USA. “She was a wise woman who gave me principles to live by early on that still help me today. One principle was to trust in the Lord and the wisdom of others when caring for patients and in many situations. She shared generously many gifts throughout her years as a sister of Bon Secours.”

She was on the boards of many Bon Secours facilities over the years and was president of the Bon Secours Baltimore Hospital board of trustees and the Bon Secours St. Francis Xavier and Bon Secours St. Joseph Healthcare boards. Sr. Mary Regina was also president of the Bon Secours Health System board from 1986-90.

Sr. Mary Regina served many roles in the Congregation to include provincial councilor, formation director, and USA centennial year coordinator. She served for two terms as provincial of the Sisters of Bon Secours USA, and in November 1999, she was elected to the Congregational Leadership Team in Paris, France.

Returning to the United States in 2005, she retired to Venice, Fla. During her time in Florida, she assisted in the formation program, holding classes in spirituality and other topics. Sr. Mary Regina returned to Marriottsville in December 2010.

Sr. Mary Regina enjoyed reading mysteries and espionage novels. She also spent time continuing to deepen her own spirituality. She used the computer to keep in touch with family, friends and the many people whom she encountered during her ministries. When she lived on Marian Hall, she assisted the staff as well as managed a rolling book and craft cart.

Sr. Mary Regina is survived by sisters-in-law Mary Flatley (Hugh Flatley) and Sue Flatley (John Flatley). She was predeceased by her parents James and Irene Flatley, brothers John, James and Hugh Flatley, sister Ruth McCormick and her husband Daniel and sister-in-law Sandra Flatley (James Flatley).

A viewing will be held at the Sisters of Bon Secours Chapel, 1525 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville, MD 21104 on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, 4PM to 7PM, with a wake service at 6PM; A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, 11AM, followed by interment at New Cathedral Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sterlingashtonschwabwitzke.com for the Flatley, C.B.S. family.