Former general superior of Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange dies

Published: 2004-08-09

ORANGE, Calif. (CNS) -- Sister Nancy O'Connor, who was general superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange from 1991 to 2001, died Aug. 1 from injuries she suffered in a fall. She was 70. A funeral Mass was celebrated by Bishop Tod D. Brown of Orange Aug. 6 at Holy Family Cathedral, followed by burial at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery. Sister O'Connor's years of service to her congregation began with a three-year term working with new members. She then served on the leadership team in 1977-82, and was assistant general superior in 1982-86. In 1991 she was elected general superior, a position she held until 2001. Sister O'Connor also had a long-standing relationship with the St. Joseph Health System, the health care ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. As general superior and head of the health care system's board of trustees, her leadership, influence and "extraordinary spiritual presence" were profound, said Rich Statuto, president and CEO of the St. Joseph Health System. "She continually reminded us that we are a health care ministry and not just an affiliation of hospitals," he added. "She showed us that our true job is to treat the whole person and to bring all people into union with God and with one another."

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