Sr. Kathleen McIntyre Remembered by LCOMH for Activism, Leadership

Little Company of Mary is mourning the loss of Sr. Kathleen McIntyre, L.C.M., whose skillful guidance of the South Side Catholic hospital made her one of the great visionaries of our time.

Surrounded by her LCM sisters and her family, Sr. Kathleen passed away peacefully on Monday after losing her six-month battle with cancer. She was 76.

“A great light has gone out in the world,” hospital president and CEO Dennis Reilly said. “Sr. Kathleen touched our lives in a very personal way. On behalf of the board of directors, our 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.”

Sr. Kathleen was chair of  the Little Company of Mary’s Board of Directors as well as serving the provincial leader for the American Province of the Little Company of Mary Sisters.

She guided the directors through the decision to completely renovate the Evergreen Park campus and in 2012, led efforts to open a 300,000 square-foot replacement patient tower, including 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.

Those who worked with her, recall Sr. Kathleen as an extraordinary leader who was always quick to remind colleagues 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.” 

Sr. Kathleen McIntyre was born on May 3, 1937 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. She served missions at Little Company of Mary’s sister hospital in Torrance, CA,  and Jasper, IN, where she worked in the Nursing School at Vincennes University.

Sr. Kathleen returned to  Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park in 1985, where she was appointed the associate director of the School of Nursing. Five years later, Sister Kathleen accepted an appointment as president and CEO of Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers, a position she held until 2001 when she became chair of the medical facility’s Board of Directors.

Her LCM sisters and colleagues remember Sr. Kathleen as 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.

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