Sister Joan Tousignant, O.S.F., former superior at St. Mary’s Medical Center, dies
EAST PEORIA — A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, here for Sister Joan Tousignant, O.S.F.
Sister Joan, 89, a member of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, died on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, at the motherhouse in East Peoria.
She was born on May 11, 1935, in Marquette, Michigan to Arthur and Dorothy Tousignant.
Sister Joan stated that the most satisfying aspect of her vocation was living in community and spending her life loving her Lord by serving the needs of others “with the greatest care and love.”
She entered the convent on November 7, 1952, in Peoria, earning her LPN designation at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI, and her BSW at St. Mary College, Leavenworth, KS.
72 YEARS OF RELIGIOUS LIFE
During her 72 years of religious life, Sister Joan served in various health care roles such as supervisor of the Department of Clinical Investigation at St. Francis Hospital from 1957-1963, and as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at St. Mary Hospital in Marquette, MI (1969 – 1973), and Saint James Hospital in Pontiac (1973 – 1977).
As well, she acted in social work capacities at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba, MI (1977 – 1980), and at OSF St. Mary’s Medical Center in Galesburg (1991 – 2011).
While at St. Mary’s Medical Center she also served as superior (1998 – 2004). Moreover, she lent her practical health care expertise and wisdom to the OSF HealthCare Foundation Board for 23 years.
In additional to her health care work, Sister Joan served as director of vocations for the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis from 1982 to 1990. Since 2015, she was missioned to the motherhouse in East Peoria to serve in the Apostolate of Prayer and Suffering.
LOVING LORD THROUGH COMMUNITY AND SERVICE
Sister Joan stated that the most satisfying aspect of her vocation was living in community and spending her life loving her Lord by serving the needs of others “with the greatest care and love.”
Visitation was held on Sunday, Dec. 22 at the motherhouse. Following the funeral Mass the next morning in the motherhouse chapel, burial took place in the convent’s Mater Dolorosa Cemetery.
Friends and family are encouraged to log onto www.wrightandsalmon.com to sign the online guestbook, submit photos and share Sister Joan’s memorial page via social media.
