Sr. Mary Kristen Lancaster

Sr. Mary Kristen Lancaster was born March 13, 1926 at St. Inigoes, MD. She and her family belonged tothe oldest Catholic community in the New World, their parish established in the 1640's. She spent a happy childhood with her twin brother and many siblings in the rich farmland and tidal creeks and rivers near the Chesapeake Bay. She was the youngest of three Lancaster daughters to become religious sisters. She died October 10, 2014 at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Savannah. A resident of Mercy Convent, Sr. Kristen lived next door to her beloved St. Joseph's and was happy to continue her ministry and presence within the hospital for as long as she was able. Dedicated to health care throughout her life, Sister Kristen got her first degree in nursing in 1947 and served as a Cadet Nurse in WWII. Further studies led to Masters Degrees in Nursing and Hospital Administration. Continuing her credentialing, she also became a licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Serving at St. Joseph's since 1980, Sr. Kristen filled many roles over the years including VP for Quality Assurance as well as Coordinator of Risk Management and Performance Improvement. She coordinated the development of the childcare Discovery Center at the hospital and was Nursing Home Administrator for the Skilled Beds Unit. Sr. Kristen acted as an administrative representative for St. Joseph's/ Candler Health System tasks and was an archivist for the hospital. Over the years, she contributed to the broader Savannah community as executive, member or advisor to many groups as varied as the Better Business Bureau of Savannah and Georgia State's Advisory Committee on Thanatology. Prior to her 34 year ministry in Savannah, Sr. Kristen spent nearly as long as a health care professional at St. Joseph's Infirmary in Atlanta. For more than a decade, she was the Director of the School of Nursing. She was also Director of the Department of Nursing at the Atlanta Hospital, and served as Assistant Administrator of the hospital during the mid-70's. While in Atlanta, she organized and developed the Daycare program for children of physicians, nurses and staff of the hospital. For Atlanta Archdiocesan Social Services, Sr. Kirsten was Consultant and Coordinator for Services to the Aging. While the majority of Sr. Kristen's work in health care was devoted to the people of Georgia, she also ministered as a young Nursing Supervisor for St. Martin de Porres Hospital in Mobile, Alabama, and as an Administrator at Stella Maris Hospice in Baltimore, Maryland. A decade ago, Sr. Kristen stated, It was always my desire to work in health care, and that is where I have spent my working life, right up through today. - Sr. M. Kristen Lancaster, 2004(Quoted in Catherine's Sisters - A Memoir(p188) She fulfilled her desire through a long and dedicated life of service to God's people. She is survived by members of the Lancaster family and members of the Sisters of Mercy Community. Visitation will be from 5 pm to 7 pm Monday, October 13 at St. Frances Cabrini Church. Rosary at 6:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Frances Cabrini at 11:00 am Tuesday with Fr. Jay Madden, SJ officiating. Burial to follow the service in the Holy Cross section of the Catholic Cemetery. Memorials for Sr. Kristen may be to Mercy Convent, 11801 McAuley Drive, Savannah, GA 31419-1790. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/savannah/obituary.aspx?n=mary-lancaster&pid=172770110#sthash.9J8X9Dwd.dpuf