Mary Carmen Gannon

SAVANNAH - Sister Mary Carmen Gannon, R.S.M., M.D., 79, died Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at The Sisters of Mercy Convent in Savannah. Sr. Mary Carmen was born October 15, 1939 in Baltimore, Maryland, daughter of the late John Thomas Gannon and Honora Keavney Gannon. A physician as well as a Sister of Mercy, Dr. Gannon practiced Internal Medicine in Savannah for many years and was beloved and respected by her patients.

Sr. M. Carmen earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Loyola College, Baltimore and a Master of Science degree from the University of Maryland. She spent five years at Mahaica hospital in British Guyana, South America as assistant administrator and director of nursing service before returning to the States to earn her medical degree at George Washington University School of Medicine. She served her internship and internal medicine residencies at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C.

Sr. M. Carmen’s ministry included her work as nursing instructor at Saint Joseph’s Infirmary, Atlanta, from 1959 through 1965, and at Federal City College, Washington, D.C. in 1971-72. Following her mission in Guyana and completion of her medical degree, Sr. M. Carmen was in private practice, Internal Medicine in Savannah from 1979 through 1990. She also served as physician for the Outpatient Clinic, Winn Army Hospital in Ft. Stewart, Ga., 1990-91, and for Primus Clinic in Savannah, 1992-93. From 1993 through 1997, she was Medical Director for St. Joseph’s Health Center as well as for Care South, St. Joseph’s Home Health Agency in Savannah.

In 1985 Sr. M. Carmen founded Project DAWN, to provide free medical services and supplies to the indigent disadvantaged of Guyana, S.A. Serving as DAWN’s medical director, she organized volunteer specialty medical teams who journeyed to Guyana quarterly to give direct patient care through inpatient and outpatient services. The project (Donors and Workers Now) grew to include a permanent clinic facility in Guyana from which visiting multi-specialty physicians, surgeons and support personnel could serve locals and provide outreach services.

Dr. Carmen Gannon, R.S.M. and President Jimmy Carter were honored in 1994 for their contributions to the country of Guyana. The presentations of the awards to the Americans were the first extended to those of another country. Sr. M. Carmen received the Medal of Service for her voluntary contributions in the field of medicine and President Carter received the Order of Excellence for his contribution to the return of democracy in Guyana during the shared ceremony at the State House in Georgetown.

Sr. Mary Carmen is survived by the members of her Sisters of Mercy community, her co-worker, M. Carole Horne, R.N., friends and the caregivers at Mercy Convent.

Visitation: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010 at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, with a Rosary Service at 5 p.m. Thursday.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 3 at 11:00 am. at Saint Frances Cabrini Church, with Father Jay Madden, officiating

Interment will follow in the Holy Cross Section of the Catholic Cemetery..

Remembrances may be sent to Mercy Convent in Savannah, GA.

Fairhaven Funeral Home

Hubert C. Baker Chapel

7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive

Savannah, Georgia 31406

912 – 927 1999

www.fairhavenfuneralhome.net