Sister Mary Evelyn Lamb, OSF (age 102) died on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at St. Francis Convent. Sister Mary Evelyn was born in Aud, MO, on December 27, 1922, the daughter of James Earl and Hada (Mantle) Lamb. She entered the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on September 8, 1949, and professed her first vows on June 13, 1952.

Sister Mary Evelyn was a 1958 graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Quincy University (1956) and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Sangamon State University (1975).

Sister Mary Evelyn served in nursing at HSHS hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin and at St. Francis Convent. In addition, she served at Springfield & Sangamon County Community Action, Alverna Home Nursing Center, Chicago, IL, and at Interfaith Caregivers, Eau Claire, WI, where she was the assistant director. Sister Mary Evelyn returned to St. Francis Convent in 1995.

She was preceded in death by her parents and six brothers: Melvin Mark, James Earl II, Paul David, Dale George, Walter William, and Robert Owen, and two sisters: Earline Lucy Lamb and Sister Jane Marie Lamb, OSF. She is survived by a brother, Charles Joseph (Kansas City, MO), and two sisters: Sister Jamesine Lamb, OSF (Springfield, IL) and Esther Brandt (Kansas City, MO), and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, as well as her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for over 70 years.

Services and burial will be at St. Francis Convent. The Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. with a Wake Service at 6:00 p.m. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Gregory Dick, O.Praem, on Friday, June 27, 2025 at 10 a.m. in the St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel, and burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.

Butler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Feature story from 2004

Each year, we celebrate Jubilee - the anniversary of a Sister’s profession of first vows. We give thanks to God for our four Jubilarians who celebrate their Jubilee.

We congratulate Sister Thomas Kundmueller, OSF, as she observes her 75th Jubilee.


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Education and Ministries
Feature Story from 2003

We congratulate Sister Carol Sue Daniel, OSF, as she observes her 60th Jubilee.


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Education and Ministries
Feature Story from 2002

We congratulate Sister Marilyn McCormick, OSF, as she observes her 60th Jubilee.


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Education and Ministries
Feature Story from 2005

We congratulate Sister MaryAnn Falbe, OSF, as she observes her 60th Jubilee.


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Education and Ministries
Feature Story from 2011

We rejoice with the news of our Pope Leo XIV. May God bless him.

Let us be inspired by Pope Francis: forgiveness, social justice, caring for the planet, concern for the marginalized, and compassion for all.

Remarks from Sister Maureen O’Connor, OSF, Superior

Today, January 6, 2025, we begin the celebration of our 150th anniversary – a historic year for our community. 150 years ago, in the year 1875, the Kulturkampf raged with ever-increasing violence in Prussia and we had to fear that we would be banished just like other religious. Bishop Peter Baltes of Alton, Illinois, felt that the time had come to supply a pressing need of charitable Sisters who would provide health care services in his diocese. He wrote to the Motherhouse in Muenster, Germany to request they consider sending Sisters for this opportunity. In a letter from Mother General Bernhardine to Bishop Baltes, she explained that his appeal was granted because the acceptance of new members had become impossible due to the new religious laws. From this letter, our story in America begins and may this candle shine throughout this anniversary year as a symbol of our legacy.

Following the letter to Bishop Baltes, Mother Bernhardine sent a letter requesting volunteers to serve in America, and 20 Sisters were chosen. On the 6th day of each month, we will commemorate this anniversary. The 6th day of the month is significant because it was on November 6, 1875, that our 20 founding Sisters arrived in Alton, IL. Those 20 Sisters were brave and selfless as they walked into an unknown land. While we cannot know all the hardships they faced, we are certain of the results of their labors. The legacy they established has brought Christ’s healing presence to many people over these 150 years and the hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin are a living example of what their trust and perseverance brought to life. As we embark on this year-long celebration, let us be thankful for those first sisters. The candles that will be brought forward will be shared with our 4 hospitals who also are celebrating their 150th anniversary this year. Representatives from the hospitals will visit here in the upcoming months.

In honor of the founders of St. John’s Hospital (Springfield, IL):
Mother Angelica, Sister Cyrilla, Sister Basilia, Sister Crispina, and Sister Ulrika

In honor of the founders of St. Francis Hospital (Litchfield, IL):
Sister Augustina, Sister Fridolina, and Sister Rosa

In honor of the founders of St. Anthony’s Hospital (Effingham, IL):
Sister Euphemia, Sister Fortunata, and Sister Franziska

In honor of the founders of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital (O'Fallon, IL):
Sister Gerburgis, Sister Jovita, and Sister Silvana

In honor of the Sisters who served in Alton, IL:
Sister Zosima and Sister Macaria

In honor of the Sisters who served in East St. Louis, IL:
Sister Rolendis, Sister Henriette, Sister Aurelia, and Sister Cassiana