Photo Caption: A painting of Sister Canisia Gerlach, OSF, longtime administrator of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, is seen in the chapel sanctuary as Msgr. Michael Bliss offers a Memorial Mass June 3.

Sister M. Canisia Gerlach, OSF, who was administrator of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria during nearly four decades of growth and expansion, is being remembered as a humble “servant-leader” whose life and legacy will inspire for decades to come.

Sister Canisia, who guided OSF Saint Francis Medical Center from 1960 until her retirement in 1998, died at 5:45 a.m., Thursday, May 26, 2011 at OSF Saint Francis. She was 96.

“She embodied our Franciscan hertiage, the wonderful pioneering spirit of our founding Sisters, the best of all that a religious life consecrated to God could embody,” said Sister Judith Ann Duvall, OSF, major superior of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis.

In remarks at Sister Canisia’s visitation at the community’s East Peoria motherhouse on May 30 and again prior to a memorial Mass on June 3 at the hospital chapel, Sister Judith Ann called Sister Canisia “a person easily known and loved and never forgotten.”

Sister Canisia’s funeral Mass was May 31 at the Motherhouse, with Msgr. Rick Oberch as principal celebrant and homilist. Burial was in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery.

Because there was limited space at the funeral, a memorial Mass on Friday allowed many OSF Saint Francis Medical Center staff to prayerfully remember the woman after whom a $40 million hospital addition — the Gerlach Building — was named in 1986.

“She struggled with all the attention that was given to her,” said Sister Judith Ann, noting that Sister Canisia also initially “adamently opposed” the idea of a bronze sculpture in her likeness that now welcomes visitors to the new Milestone Building.

But Sister Judith Ann said Sister Canisia embodied the Franciscan mission to serve with the greatest care and love and told her “that just seeing her image would help to keep that same spirit alive.”

At Friday’s memorial Mass, Keith Steffen, OSF Saint Francis CEO who succeeded Sister Canisia as administrator, said he was happy the nun lived to see the building and statue dedicated to her.

“Her fingerprints and footprints are all over this medical center,” said Steffen, calling Sister Canisia a “servant leader” who has left a “legacy for us to celebrate for years to come.”

Msgr. Michael Bliss, head of pastoral care, said in his homily Friday that people were attracted to Sister Canisia because they saw the light of God shining through her.

“Sometimes certain people’s candles shine a bit brighter,” said Msgr. Bliss, recalling the faith examples of Blessed Mother Teresa, Blessed Pope John Paul II, and St. Damien of Molokai who served the lepers in Hawaii. “For us at Saint Francis Medical Center, Sister Canisia had that way about her.”

Sister Canisia was born Aug. 29, 1914 in Sindersfeld-Kirchhain, Germany. She entered the convent at Bad Pyrmont, Germany on Feb. 23, 1935 and made her perpetual profession of vows in 1943.

She received her registered nurse’s diploma at St. Francis School of Nursing in Peoria; C.R.N.A. at St. Francis School of Anesthesia; bachelor of science degree in nursing at Creighton University; and master’s degree in healthcare administration at St. Louis University.

During her 76 years in religious life, she served as nursing supervisor at St. Joseph Hospital, Keokuk, Iowa, and at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria, where she also served as instructor and director of the Saint Francis School of Nursing.

At the completion of her master’s program in 1960, Sister Canisia was named administrator of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, a position she served in for 38 years until her retirement in September 1998. During her time as administrator, she oversaw the completion of two major building projects including the Gerlach Building.

Sister Canisia was known to visit patients almost daily to ensure the care they received met her high standards.

“I don’t believe that you can administer a hospital just from your office or desk,” Sister Canisia said in 1986. “You must be visible and see that the care you insist be given is also carried out in a very professional, caring way.”

Sister Canisia served many years as a council member and on the governing board of the Franciscan community. She was a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and was the first religious to serve as a corporate member on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Board.

In 1993, she received the Edith A. Cohen Business/Industry Award from the YWCA and in 2000 was presented the American College of Healthcare Executives outstanding Heath Care Executive of the Regent’s Award. In 2001, she was a recipient of the Diocese of Peoria’s Pere Marquette Award.

Sister retired to the Motherhouse Infirmary in East Peoria on Jan. 16, 2006.

“When I started my career with The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis as an assistant administrator at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in 1978, Sister Canisia was the administrator and at that time she already had many years of experience leading the medical center,” said Kevin Schoeplein, CEO, OSF Healthcare System.

“What always impressed me was Sister’s high energy level and her constant vigilance to ensuring our staff was serving patients and their families with the greatest care and love. Sister practiced managing by walking around before the term was coined by consultants. She was an outstanding mentor, teacher, friend and a shepherd to all of us who had the honor and privilege of knowing her.”

Sister Canisia was beloved by not only the staff at OSF Saint Francis but throughout the Peoria area as well.

“I worked with Sister Canisia in the same office for many years. She was always so joyful and filled with hope,” said Sue Wozniak, recently retired chief operating officer. “She would tell us ‘Do the right thing and God will reward us’. It goes without saying that Sister Canisia was the heart and soul of OSF Saint Francis and Children’s Hospital.

“She especially loved the children,” Wozniak continued. She kept track of everything even in retirement at the Motherhouse. She was more like a mother to me than a boss. I loved her dearly.”

“Sister Canisia Gerlach’s faith in God and compassion for others were apparent in every facet of her life,” remembered John Bearce, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Community Advisory Board member and long time friend. “She was a mentor to us all. Sister Canisia exemplified grace in her joys as well as her struggles. We mourn her passing for we have lost a friend. Yet, her storied life warrants a celebration for who she was and who she will remain to be in our hearts.

“We are all the better for having known her,” continued Bearce. “My sadness for her passing is only matched by the joy I feel knowing that she is home in heaven.”

Rex Linder, attorney and past president of the OSF Saint Francis and Children’s Hospital Community Advisory Boards remembers Sister fondly.

“Her gentle, yet strong, guiding hand led OSF Saint Francis Medical Center through dramatically changing times in healthcare,” said Linder. “She was an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of working with her and leaves a legacy of compassionate health care of the highest caliber benefitting all in our central Illinois community.”

Memorial donations in Sister Canisia’s name may be made to the OSF Foundation, 530 NE Glen Oak, Peoria, IL 61637. Specify if the donation is for OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Illinois or the Sister Canisia Nursing Scholarship Fund.