EVERGREEN PARK, Ill., April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Little Company of Mary Hospital is deeply saddened by the passing of Sr. Kathleen McIntyre, L.C.M., a woman whose skillful guidance of the Southside Catholic hospital made her one of the great visionaries of our time. Surrounded by LCM Sisters and her family, Sr. Kathleen passed away peacefully today, Monday, April 21^st, after losing her six–month battle with cancer. 

"A great light has gone out in the world," said Dennis Reilly, President and C.E.O. for Little Company of Mary Hospital. "Sr. Kathleen McIntyre touched our lives in a very personal way. On behalf of the Board of Directors, our L.C.M.H. physicians and employees, we honor Sr. Kathleen by uniting during this time of deep sorrow and by continuing to live the mission of the Little Company of Mary Sisters."

Visitation services will be held at Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers in the Chapel on Thursday, April 24^th from 1 to 9 p.m. The Mass of Resurrection will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 25^th at St. Bernadette Church, located at 9343 S Francisco Ave in Evergreen Park.

On May 3^rd, 1937, Sister Kathleen McIntyre was born at Little Company of Mary Hospital, the hospital that ultimately defined her life's work. She grew up on Chicago's southwest side and later watched Sisters care for her ill mother, which led to her desire to become a nurse. It wasn't until she was partnered with a Sister in chemistry lab while a student in the Little Company of Mary School of Nursing that she decided to become a Sister too. In 1956, Sister Kathleen joined the Sisters of Little Company of Mary (L.C.M.), an international congregation founded by Venerable Mary Potter in 1877 in Nottingham, England.

After graduating from nursing school, Sr. Kathleen was missioned to Little Company of Mary's sister hospital in Torrance, California, where she completed her studies at the University of San Francisco. Sister Kathleen was then missioned from California to Jasper, Indiana, where she worked in the Nursing School at Vincennes University.

In 1982, she was missioned to Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park and appointed the Associate Director of the School of Nursing. Five years later, Sister Kathleen accepted an appointment as President and C.E.O. of Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers. In 2001, Sr. Kathleen then became the Chairperson of the Board of Directors. In 2006, she was appointed the Provincial leader for the American Province of the Little Company of Mary Sisters.

Sister Kathleen was an untiring champion for community programs such as Little Company of Mary's Comprehensive Bereavement Program and Mobile Medical Program, a service for homebound seniors.

Most recently, Sr. Kathleen guided the Board of Directors through the decision to completely renovate the Evergreen Park campus. In October 2012, Sr. Kathleen led efforts to open a 300,000 square-foot replacement patient tower, which included the Comprehensive Women's Center for Life and Health. Sr. Kathleen continually gave a voice to the many women and children in the community served by LCMH. This Women's Center is the cornerstone of the Campus Transformation Project — addressing women's health and wellness needs conveniently under one roof.

Sr. Kathleen was an extraordinary leader who was always quick to remind us all "that our Catholic identity stems from how we minister to God's people and that buildings are just bricks and mortar. It's the employees who give buildings life." She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

ABOUT LITTLE COMPANY OF MARY HOSPITAL

Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers (www.LCMH.org) is a Catholic, not-for-profit hospital based in Evergreen Park. For nearly 85 years, Little Company of Mary has a long tradition of serving the needs of women and their families. Recently, Little Company of Mary transformed its campus through the addition of the West Pavilion patient tower, which includes the new comprehensive Women's Center for Life and Health. Our Women's Center provide women's healthcare needs conveniently under one roof—from routine wellness exams and screenings to advanced diagnostic facilities for even the most critical health conditions. Little Company of Mary continues to achieve accolades for quality, provides new medical advances and offers a convenient range of services to our community.

SOURCE Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers