Sr. St. Joan Willert, CSJ, former Carondelet Health chief, dies
Funeral Mass was held Sept. 6 at Carondelet Center in Los Angeles for Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet St. Joan Willert, 83, who died Aug. 29. Sister Willert taught for more than 20 years in L.A. archdiocesan schools before beginning her second career in hospital administration at Daniel Freeman Hospital in Inglewood.

Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, she moved with her parents and three older siblings to Los Angeles where she finished her elementary schooling and enrolled in Bishop Conaty High School. Upon graduating, she joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and chose her religious name from her favorite saint: St. Joan of Arc.

Sister Willert taught and was principal in several schools in the archdiocese, including St. Cecilia, St. John the Evangelist and St. Martin of Tours in L.A., St. John Chrysostom in Inglewood and St. Lawrence Martyr in Redondo Beach.

After being a teacher and principal in elementary schools for 20 years and a high school principal and dean of women for five years, Sister Willert was appointed regional superior and provincial councilor in her religious community. While serving in this capacity (1970-77), she identified the need for more hospital administrators within religious congregations.

She began her studies in hospital administration at St. Louis University, and, upon completion of her academic work, she served as Administrative Resident at Daniel Freeman Hospital. Later, she became president and CEO of two Tucson hospitals for 21 years. She also oversaw operations at 14 hospitals nationwide run by the Sisters of St. Joseph, retiring as head of Carondelet Health Network in 2000.

She left Tucson the year she retired to work at Carondelet Center in Los Angeles where she was active until 18 months ago when her health forced her to reduce activities. According to members of her congregation, she was "a calm and graceful woman who loved children and always lent an ear to anyone who needed to talk." She was also "a savvy, forward-thinking businesswoman" as well as "a risk-taker who always considered her employees and the benefits to the community --- not the bottom line --- when making decisions."

Sr. Evangelita Hughes, BVM
Funeral Mass will be celebratde Sept. 14 at Marian Hall Chapel in Dubuque, Iowa, for Sister of Charity Evangelita Hughes, 87, who died Sept. 10. She was a member of the Sisters of Charity for 69 years.

Born in Mason City, Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation on Sept. 8, 1938. Sister Hughes ministered primarily as an educator, teaching in California, Illinois, Iowa and Hawaii. Locally, she taught at Assumption, Los Angeles (1956-63); was principal at Incarnation, Glendale (1978-84); taught at St. John Baptist De La Salle, Granada Hills (1984-85); and taught music and was in parish ministry at St. Catherine of Siena, Reseda (1985-95).

Survivors include her sisters-in-law, Alexandra Hughes of Encino and Myrna Hughes of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Memorial donations may be sent to the Sisters of Charity, BVM Retirement Fund, 1100 Carmel Drive, Dubuque, Iowa 52003.

Donald Wilson
Funeral Mass was held Sept. 6 at St. Peter Church in Fallbrook for Judge Donald L. Wilson, who died at his home in Fallbrook surrounded by his family.

Before taking up residence in Fallbrook in 1997, Judge Wilson lived in Downey where he practiced law and later served as an officer of the court. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and participated in the Kiwanis Clubs of Fallbrook and Downey. In addition, he was a member of the S.E. Bar Association, the California Judges Association, and the Board of Directors of the Downey Regional Medical Center.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; daughter Carolyn Fredericks (Charles); grandchildren Jeffrey and Kathryn Fredericks, Mark Kerr, Lisa Celani (Chad) and great grandchildren Brooke and Brynn Celani. The family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Peter's building fund.

Sr. Celine Elliott, RGS
Funeral Mass was held recently for Religious of the Good Shepherd Sister Celine Elliott, 78, who died in July in St. Louis. She had been a member of the Religious of the Good Shepherd for 57 years.

A Los Angeles native, she became a Catholic at age 18 after graduating from Hollywood High. Following her graduation from Immaculate Heart College, she entered the Good Shepherd congregation in Los Angeles in 1950.

Sister Elliott worked in Good Shepherd residential settings for teenage girls in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New Orleans, San Francisco, Chicago, Memphis and St. Louis. For many years, she was director of the school serving the children of the residents of the Good Shepherd Shelter for Battered Women in Los Angeles.

She had a "gift for working with some of the most difficult teens and guiding them into the arms of the Good Shepherd," according to the sisters and lay teachers who worked with her. She particularly enjoyed teaching the children at the shelter about the Good Shepherd's love for them.

Sister Elliott suffered a massive stroke several years ago and spent her final years quietly offering her sufferings for the salvation of souls, living out her fourth vow of Zeal. She is survived by her brother, Bill Elliott of Hollywood.

Edward Nichols
Funeral Mass was celebrated June 1 at Annunciation Church in Arcadia for Edward Nichols, 86, who died May 28. He was the father of Msgr. Timothy Nichols, pastor of St. John Vianney Church in Hacienda Heights.