- May 24, 2021 Obituaries
(S. Anita Louise)
July 24, 1929 –May 22, 2021
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Catherine Durr, who passed away on May 22, 2021, at Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis, Missouri. She was 91 years of age.
Sister Catherine was born on July 24, 1929, in Nebraska City, Nebraska, to parents Albert Matthew and Louise (Tordoff) Durr. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 15, 1956, was received as S. Anita Louise and made her final profession on August 6, 1964.
She received a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from Creighton University in 1953 and a master’s in hospital administration from St. Louis University in 1964.
Sister Catherine’s ministry began as a medical technologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. After a year of study at St. Louis University, she was a resident in health care administration at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio.
Sister Catherine dedicated the next 25 years of service to St. Joseph Hospital in Kirkwood, Missouri. She first served as hospital administrator (1964-78) and then as hospital president (1978-89).
After a brief retirement in the early 1990s, she became the assistant to the director of development for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province. From 1993 to 1997, Sister Catherine served as the assistant to the president of Carondelet Health System.
She twice served as the interim president for St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf, first in 1992 and again in 2002.
In addition, from 1997 to 2003, Sister Catherine was the coordinator of ongoing education for sponsorship with the Sisters of St Joseph. And from 2003 to 2015, she served in volunteer ministry and on various boards.
Since 2015, Sister Catherine resided at Nazareth Living Center where she carried out her ministry of prayer and presence until her passing.
Sister Catherine was also recognized for her work. In 1979, she received the Woman of Achievement Award for Health Care from the St. Louis Globe Democrat. In 1989, the Mayor of Kirkwood proclaimed August 17 as Sister Catherine Durr Day.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Sister Catherine Durr's life will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m. in the Nazareth Living Center Chapel. The funeral will be live streamed as outside visitors are not able to attend. The link will be available later this week. and her eulogy later in the week. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province, 6400 Minnesota Ave., St. Louis, MO 63111-2899. Donate online.
Watch funeral services here: https://video.ibm.com/channel/csjsl-funeral-service