Obituaries for Georgia Group 

Samuel F Ledlie      Sister M. Immaculate Dulohery         Sister M. Cornile Dulohery

Msgr. Martin J. Egan

Samuel F Ledlie, 85, of 709 E. 41st Street died Sunday at home after a short illness.

The Savannah native was a retired manager with Louis C. Matthews Seafood and was former president of Holy Name Society at Blessed Sacrament Church.  He was graduated from Benedictine Military School and Georgia Institute of Technology and served in the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Hibernian Society and American Legion.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Gertrude D. Ledlie, a daughter, Mrs. Margaret M. Ledlie, both of Savannah; three sons, Joseph M. A. Ledlie of Atlanta, Eugene F. Ledlie of Richmond VA and Leonard G. Ledlie of Savannah, and seven grandchildren.

Rosary service: 6 p.m. today at Lester I. Hayman Funeral Home. Funeral: 10:30 am Tuesday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, burial in Catholic Cemetery.  Remembrance: St. Joseph's Hospital building fund.

Savannah Evening Press, Monday, September 24, 1990 — from the Sisters of Mercy Archives, Belmont, North Carolina

Sister M. Immaculata Dulohery, Teacher, Administrator, Dies

Sister M. Immaculata Dulohery, a Sister of Mercy of Belmont, died Friday, Nov. 3, 1989, at the Convent in Belmont.

She was born Oct. 14, 1906, in Savannah, GA, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Dulohery.  She entered the Community of the Sisters of March in 1924.  She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Ledlie and Sister Cornile Dulohery, both of Savannah, and a number of nieces and nephews.

"Sister Immaculata possessed great qualities of leadership," said Sister Joan Falier, archivist for the Sisters of Mercy.  She was elected as Superior of the Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina in 1948.  She also served in community administration as a member of the General Council from 1967 through 1972.

She earned a bachelor's degree in music from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and a master's degree from Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh, PA.

Although her specialty lay in the field of music, she also had a great interest in literature and modern history.  As an educator, Sister taught music at Sacred Heart College and Academy until she became Directress of the same in 1947.

Sister Immaculata served as Superior of Mercy Hospital and also at Charlotte Catholic High School, at Saint Mary's School in Wilmington and as principal of Sacred heart Grade School in Belmont.

"Sister Immaculata was an exemplary Religious, a beautiful inspiration to her Sisters — always faithful to her religious obligations and she had great devotion to our Blessed Lady.

"At the same time, she was a wise administrator and also a wonderful companion.  She understood every individual and related well to each one.  She radiated goodness, peace and joy and was a great leader in the Mercy Community where she contributed so much and also in the wider community which she also served in the name of Christ," said Sister Joan.

Wednesday, November 15, 1989  The Belmont Banner — from the Sisters of Mercy Archives, Belmont, North Carolina

Eulogy for Sister Mary Immaculata Dulohery, RSM
Cardinal Gibbons Chapel, Sacred Heart Convent
Belmont, North Carolina, 6 November 1989
Sister Mary Michel Boulus, RSM

"Go placidly amid noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

"Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant;  they too have their story.  Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.  Keep interested in your own career, however humble.  Be yourself.  Especially do not feign affection.  Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

"Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.  Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.  Be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations keep peace with your soul.  Strive to be happy."

These beautiful exhortations are excerpts from a manuscript entitled "Desiderata" found in Old Saint Paul's Church, Baltimore, Maryland; dated 1692.

Two hundred and ninety seven years later, we can say these words truly come to life in reflecting on the life of our beloved Sister Immaculata Dulohery.  I feel singularly privileged to have the honor of delivering this eulogy.

Many of you know Sister Mary Immaculata for a brief time, and perhaps only during her lengthy illness.  I hope I can capture for you the greatness and saintliness of the life of this noble woman of God.  I first met Sister Immaculata in the Spring of 1949.  I continued to tell her all the years of her life that I was trapped from the beginning.

After I had finished college, I was teaching at Concord High School.  The Sisters of Mercy taught CCD after the eleven o'clock Mass.  The Sisters came from St. Patrick's in Charlotte.  The Knights of Columbus arranged to get them over to Concord, and a member of the parish would drive them back.  Having acquired a brand new Hudson, I volunteered for this particular first Sunday of the Month.  Sister Regis asked if I would drive her to Belmont rather than Charlotte.  This I was happy to do.

As Sophia of Golden Girls would say, "Picture this" — Belmont, Sacred heart Convent, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, street veils, long sleeves, church cloaks, statue like Sisters of Mercy kneeling or sitting motionless.  In walks innocent me, sitting on an end seat afraid to turn right or left, afraid to breathe too hard or break the dead silence in some way.  I just know that those kneeling on the back row were persons of some importance, and I know I was the object of some scrutiny. 

After Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the Sisters fled out of the Chapel.  Sister Regis proceeded to introduce me to Sister Immaculata who exchanged a few greetings with me, and Sister Regis vanished into thin air.  After exchanging a few pleasantries, Sister Immaculata said to me (and she continued to deny saying it, but now she knows)  "Why don't you come teach for the greatest principal on earth and you'll never have to worry about money again".  Then she sends me out the door where Sister Mary Stephen is waiting to finish the job.

Be that as it may, in August of the same year, Sister Mary Immaculata placed on me the postulant cap.  For my perseverance and for the appreciation I have for the Vows I made at my profession, I have her to credit.

I came to see in Sister an analogy made by Saint Bernard in admonishing his monks.  "Remember," he said, "The Lamb of God was also the Lion of Judah".  Sister was such a paradox.  Gentle but firm; meek, but assertive; compassionate, but lovingly admonishing; fragile, but strong; long-suffering, but patient; eager to return to her Father's house, but resigned to God's will for her to live.

The virtue in her life is not in the measure of her accomplishments though she served the people of God through the Mercy ministries for over sixty-four years.  Sister Mary Immaculata as Mother Superior of the community from 1948-1951.  Her term of office was interrupted by a serious illness the effects of which she suffered the remainder of her life.  She was a member of the General Council from 1967-1972.  She was an excellent musician and lover of fine music.  Sister studies at the Catholic University of America and Julliard School of Music.  She received her Master's degree in music from Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh in 1942.  Sister served as Superior, principal or teacher in Wilmington, Newton Grove, Charlotte, Nazareth, Belmont.  Sister was superior of the Mercy Hospital community and Directress of the Academy in Belmont.

When Sister was no longer able to work full time, Sister Immaculata contributed her services to the library at Sacred Heart Campus School and Sacred Heart College.

In the lights of all these accomplishments,  Sister Immaculata deemed most important to her the measure of her love of the Lord and His most blessed Mother for whom she had great devotion, as reflected in her motto: 'All for Jesus through Mary".  She was my superior at Catholic High in charlotte, and my neighbor on the second floor for the last thirty years.  She challenged my intellect and kept me reading.  She was a staunch conservative republican, and me a Roosevelt New Deal Democrat.  I tried to get her to read everything about Franklin and Eleanor and she saw that I always had a copy of The Pope Speaks.

I know that she prayed daily for me as well as for all.  She would always say take care of yourself.  She had the most amazing appetite.  I would get so excited when she said she was starving and went with her to the kitchen to have a snack.  After one cookie and a tablespoon of milk, she was filled.  I figured following her diet would be cheaper than Weight-Watchers.  As you can see, I met with no measure of success.

Sister Mary Immaculata was born in Savannah, daughter of Margaret Berry and Cornelius Dulohery.  She was a most gentle Southern Lady from a strong Catholic family.  To her Sisters, Sister Cornile and Gertrude Ledlie and to her Sister-in-law, nieces, and nephews we extend our deepest sympathy.  You have every reason to be proud for now you have another saint in heaven.  Sister loved you and the Belmont Mercy Community shares this affection.  We pray that you will continue to look upon us as family, and we express our gratitude to you for the hospitality extended to us on our visits to Savannah.

it is difficult to say goodbye.  I shall cherish forever the Beach vacations, the rides to Lake Lure, the southern cooked meals in Savannah.  I shall always remember your pride in your sisters, especially the Sisters Chorale when they visited Savannah.  I shall remember your courage at Chapter when you sometimes had to stand alone with great courage of conviction.  I shall remember your prayerfulness and sense of justice and integrity.

I shall cherish the memory of having been with you at the moment of death and watch you slip silently into the arms of Mry as we recited her beautiful litany.

And so my friend, remember us now as we come to grips with our own destiny, and know for sure that you have been a source of edification and a hallmark of faith.

May you rest in Peace!

. — from the Sisters of Mercy Archives, Belmont, North Carolina

Sister Mary Cornile Dulohery, RSM  died at Mercy Convent Savannah, GA on August 11, 2000.  She was the daughter of Margaret Mary Berry and Cornelius Dulohery.  She was born in Langford, Kansas during a family visit there.  She was baptized as Lucille Genevieve.  Her home was in Savannah where she received her early education and later attended Sacred Heart Academy in Belmont, North  Carolina.  She graduated from Saint Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in Savannah, Georgia in 1932.  She entered the Sisters of Mercy in Baltimore, Maryland on July 2, 1933, and professed final vows on August 12, 1939.  After entering the Sisters of Mercy, Sister earned a Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Nursing and Administration from Catholic University of America.

During Sisters long career in the healthcare field, she served as Director of the School of Nursing in both St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah and Atlanta.  She also served as administrator of both hospitals.  She built a new St. Joseph's in Atlanta and relocated St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah to a new facility on the Southside.  From 1952-1955 Sister was the matron (administrator) of the leprosarium in Chachacare, Trinidad.  Sister held numerous positions in healthcare and community organizations.

When Sister retired as President and CEO of St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah, she directed the hospital's planning and development program.  Following that she continued to visit the sick in the hospital offering comfort to them and their families.

The Mass of Resurrection was celebrated at St. Frances Cabrini by Reverend Francis J. Nelson in Savannah.  The Homily was given by Reverend Francis J. Nelson.  The Wake Service was held at St. Frances Cabrini.  Burial was at the Catholic Cemetery.

At the service there were many Sisters, physicians, former patients,, and friends.  Young Sisters of Mercy associated with Sister M. Cornile used to say that Sister was a 'born' administrator.

Survivors include eight nieces and nephews, 20 great nieces and nephews, and 20 great-great nieces and nephews.  The eight nieces and nephews are:  Messers Joseph M. A. Ledlie, Gene Ledlie, Roddy Ledlie, Cornelius Jerome (Jerry) Dulohery and Miss Margaret Ledlie, Mrs. Clar Frew, Mrs. Lucy Behr and Mrs. Josephine Dye.

Sr. M. Kristen Lancaster, RSM  Sisters of Mercy Regional Community of Baltimore Maryland — from the Sisters of Mercy Archives, Belmont, North Carolina

Msgr Martin J. Egan,  Served Half  Century

FAIRMONT — A Mass of Christ5ian Burial was offered in St. Peter's church on Thursday, March 8, following the Office for he Dead at 12 noon, for Rt. Rev. Msgr. Martin J. Egan, 77, pastor emeritus, who died in Fairmont General Hospital on Saturday, March 3.  Principal celebrant was His Excellency, Bishop Hodges.

A native of Savannah, GA, Msgr. Egan was born October 8, 1895, son of the late Michael J and Mary Berry Egan.  he attended Cathedral School, Savannah; St Mary's Marist College, Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland; St. Charles College, Catonsville, MD; St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, and the Sulpician Seminary, Washington DC.   His advanced studies included Fordham University, NY; the Apostolic Mission House, Washington DC; and the Pontifical School of Canon Law, Appolonaris, Rome.  he held the following degrees:  BA, MA, JCB, and JCL.

He was ordained to the priesthood by the late James Cardinal Gibbons in Assumption Cathedral, Baltimore, May 26, 1920.

His assignments in the Diocese included; assistant at Immaculate Conception, Clarksburg (1921-1922); Diocesan Mission Band (1923-1931); pastor of Sacred heart, Powhattan(1933); pastor of St. Anthony's, Follansbee (1933 - 1947); and pastor of St. Peter's, Fairmont (1947-1969).  He served as Dean of the Fairmont Deanery from 1947 until his appointment as Pastor Emeritus in Residence on April 24, 1969.

Msgr. Egan holds the distinction of having been the first Officialis of the Diocese, and of organizing the first Vocations School for the Diocese.  During his years on the Mission Band, he was known in the Bluefield area as a "radio priest."  and his voice was familiar in later years to listeners in the Fairmont area.  he was also well known as a retreat master, and for his efforts to promote the DCCW and the DCCM.

Survivors included his three sisters, all Ursuline nuns from Chatham, Ontario, Canada, Sisters Mary Marguerite, St. Martin, and Mary Therese, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Burial was in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Fairmont.

obituary from the archives of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston,
 courtesy of  Tracey  A. Rasmer, Archivist.