Sister Phyllis Ann Gerold

Sister Phyllis Ann was born in Sandusky, Ohio, on September 19, 1929, to Pierre and Eleanor (Winklea) Gerold. She was the oldest of 8 children. Holy Angels Parish in Sandusky was always considered her home parish.

Sister Phyllis Ann entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1945. When she professed her vows, she was given the name Sister Mary Verona, but changed back to her baptismal name after Vatican II. Her final vows were professed in Cincinnati on August 16, 1951.

She held a BS degree from Edgecliff College of Cincinnati Ohio, an RN from Mercy School of Nursing in Hamilton, Ohio, and a Masters in Hospital Administration from St. Louis University.

Sister began her nursing ministry at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Ohio, as Nursing Supervisor. She held that same position at Mercy Hospital Tiffin, Mercy Hospital Toledo, and St. Charles Hospital Oregon, Ohio. In 1963, she became Assistant Administrator of Mercy Hospital Toledo, in 1965 Administrator/CEO of Mercy Hospital Toledo, and in 1969 President/CEO of Mercy Toledo and St. Charles Hospitals combined- a position she held for 23 years. It was during this time that the health system evolved from all religious leadership to lay leadership. She gave leadership and guidance to this change and to the development of a strong Catholic sponsorship program for the health system.

She was known for her creativity and forward thinking. It was through her that Charles Crest I and II and Charles Meadows, HUD housing for the poor and disadvantaged, were created.

She served on numerous boards including: Mercy Hospital Toledo, Mercy Hospital Tiffin, St. Rita Hospital Lima, Sisters of Mercy Health System North, Sisters of Mercy Northern Health Foundation, Mercy College of Northwest Ohio, Edgecliff College of Cincinnati, Ohio Hospital Association Department of Health of the Catholic Conference of Ohio, Toledo Hospital Council, Charles Crest I and II, RSM Creative Services, Toledo Life Care, and Mercy Affiliated Professional Services. Sister Phyllis Ann also served as an officer on these boards at various times.

Sister was honored many times throughout her life for the contributions she made, especially in health care. In 1992, she was named Manager of the Year by the National Management Association of the Toledo Chapter. In 2002, she received the Emeritus Trustee of Board of Mercy College of Northwest Ohio, and Emeritus Trustee of Board of St. Charles Mercy Hospital Foundation. In 2008, she was presented the Misericordia et Cura Award from Mercy College of Northwest Ohio for her leadership at Mercy and St. Charles Hospitals.

Sister Phyllis Ann is survived by the members of her religious community the Sisters of Mercy, her sisters Jane Daniel, Mary Potts, Gloria Hertzfield, and Kay Benefiel, brothers James, Thomas, and Glen, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday March 18, 2016, from 3 to 8 at St. Bernardine Home and on Saturday March 19, 2016, until 10:45 AM. The funeral will follow at 11:00 in the St. Bernardine Chapel. Burial will be in the Our Lady of the Pines Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, the Mercy College of Ohio Foundation for the Sister Phyllis Ann Gerold Endowment Fund or the Holy Angels Window Restoration Project.