Mercy Mourns the Passing of Sister Elizabeth Anne Corcoran, RSM

(Baltimore, MD) -- Sister Elizabeth Anne Corcoran, RSM, a Sister of Mercy for more than 65 years and the former Vice President of Nursing at Mercy Medical Center, passed away on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at Stella Maris Hospice in Timonium. She was born at Mercy Medical Center and had lived there for the past 53 years. Sister Elizabeth Anne was 88 years old.

Mercy President and CEO Tom Mullen said, “Sister Elizabeth Anne embodied the mission and values of the Sisters of Mercy and was an extraordinary role model for all of us. She taught us to welcome patients, families and visitors with courtesy, respect and compassion. In her heart, she was always a nurse and inspired young nurses to continue Mercy’s 144-year legacy of quality care. She was an Irish blessing to me.”

Born in Baltimore to parents J. Neil and Elizabeth “Bess” Daily Corcoran, she was baptized Joan Daily Corcoran and was one of eight siblings. Sister Elizabeth Anne entered the community of the Sisters of Mercy in 1953 and took her religious name to honor her mother. Her aunt was Sister Mary Veronica, former head Administrator of Mercy Hospital from 1936 to 1941 and 1947 to 1953. Her sibling was Sister Mary Neil Corcoran, director of the Esperanza Center in Fells Point from 1990 to 2002.

"Our family has served Mercy Hospital for four generations as Trustees and Staff members. Clearly, Sister Elizabeth Anne became the true champion of us all. Her devotion to Mercy and its patients has inspired so many and her wit brought joy to all. I will miss the company of my courageous cousin, but let us all forever seek to honor her life,” said Mark R. Fetting, former CEO of Legg Mason and a longtime member of Mercy’s Board of Trustees.

Sister Elizabeth Anne attended Saints Philip & James School and then graduated from Mt. St. Agnes High School in Mount Washington in 1948. She then enrolled in the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and received her R.N., registered nurse, degree in 1951. She was a founding member of the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae and remained an active member throughout her life. In 1953, Sister Elizabeth Anne earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Mt. St. Agnes College. She would later go on to receive her Master of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Notre Dame in 1979.

Sister Elizabeth Anne was assigned to Mercy Hospital from 1955-58 and served in a variety of roles including floor nurse, instructor and supervisor. She left Baltimore for seven years to become a nursing instructor at St. Joseph’s Infirmary in Atlanta, GA. 

In 1965, Sister Elizabeth Anne returned to Mercy Hospital in Baltimore where she spent the remainder of her career. She served as Assistant Director of Nursing from 1965-75 and was named Director of Nursing in 1975.                       

“Sister Elizabeth Anne was especially proud of the friendship and working relationship she had with her mentor Sister Mary Thomas, the former Mercy President who retired in 1992 after serving for over 35 years. They were a dynamic 1-2 management punch during their time leading the hospital,” said Sister Helen Amos, Executive Chair of the Mercy Board of Trustees.

Sister Elizabeth Anne became Vice President of Nursing in 1987 and remained in that role until 1989. After her career in nursing, Sister Elizabeth Anne was named Assistant to the President for Hospitality, in charge of Mercy’s conference facilities and Information Desk personnel.

Sister Helen Amos reflected, “After a long and illustrious career in Nursing, including years as Mercy’s chief nurse, Sister Elizabeth Anne accepted a new role in which she modeled and trained others to practice Mercy’s core value of hospitality. It was a responsibility that was perfectly suited to her personality.”

Mercy President and CEO Tom Mullen named The Corcoran Café in the Mary Catherine Bunting Center in Sister Elizabeth Anne’s honor when the new hospital opened in December of 2010. Upon retirement, she affectionately was known as the “Queen of Hospitality,” an honorary title she retained for the rest of her life. 

“Sister Elizabeth Anne loved St. Patrick’s Day, Irish Coffee and hosting annual lunches for her Mercy friends. She also liked a good challenge.  I remember a specific instance,” said Tom Mullen, “when she challenged me to a hoops contest and she hit the winning shot! She reminded me every year since. I will truly miss her.”