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Mary White Obituary
PORTLAND -- Sister Mary Consuela (nee Florence Mary) White, 91 yrs., died peacefully at Frances Warde Convent, Portland on May 26, 2011. She grew up in Revelstoke, N.B., Canada, the daughter of James and Mary Alice Callahan White. She graduated from Bath High School, Bath, N.B. in 1937, before enrolling in Madigan Memorial School of Nursing in Houlton, Maine. In 1944, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in Portland and continued her education at St. Joseph's College, Standish (formerly known as the College of Our Lady of Mercy in Portland), Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and earned both her B.S. and M.S. in Nursing from Boston College. In addition to numerous conferences, workshops and short-term healthcare courses, Sister had the opportunity to attend a seminar in nursing at the University of Tel-Aviv, Israel in 1972.
Sister M. Consuela began her ministry of nursing at the Madigan Hospital, Houlton, as Director of Nursing Services and of the School of Nursing in 1946. She served in this ministry for six years before going to Mercy Hospital, Portland, where she ministered in the same capacity for 22 years. In 1974, Sister M. Consuela left Mercy Hospital to chair and develop the Department of Nursing at St. Joseph's College, Standish, which still flourishes today. After 12 successful years, Sister was asked to assume the role of Vice-President of Mission Effectiveness at Mercy Hospital, Portland. In 1991, Sister M. Consuela retired having taught for 40 years and capped more than a 1,000 nurses in her long and successful career. During her 'retirement', she visited Mercy mostly every day, cheering up all whom she met with her kind words and bright smile.
Sister M. Consuela served on a variety of Boards and Committees throughout the state: Maine State Nurses Association, Southern Maine Comprehensive Health Association, Maine Regional Medical Program, Member of the Advisory Committee to University of Maine in Augusta Nursing Program, Chair of Health Task Force of Portland Model CitiesProgram, Advisory Board to Portland City Health Department, Member of the Board of Directors of Southern Regional Alcohol Council, Maine State Board of Nursing, New England Board of Nursing, Advisory Council of Religious for the Portland Diocese, St. Joseph's Manor and the Board of Trustees, Mercy Hospital. She also served on her religious community's Leadership Council.
Sister M. Consuela was the recipient of many honors for her tireless efforts in healthcare.
Sister Mary
Consuela White
She was elected to Sigma Theta Tau (National Honor Society of Nursing); in 1974, she received the Rose Huddleston Award; in 1986, she was honored as the Outstanding Nurse Educator of the Year; in 1988, she received a Doctor of Humane Letters from St. Joseph's College, as well as Professor Emerita; and in 2000 received the Papal Award Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal. In 2002, Mercy Hospital established the Sister Mary Consuela White Award, given yearly to an outstanding Mercy nurse. St. Joseph's College also presents an annual nursing award in her name.
Sister M. Consuela has been a gentle, unassuming presence as well as a 'giant of a woman' in Maine healthcare. To those who were close to her, she was a faith-filled religious; a woman of warmth and integrity, vision and compassion as well as a pioneer in the nursing field that she loved so much. She passed this love of nursing on to her many students who regarded her as their mentor and inspiration. In Sister M. Consuela's own words, 'Your motive in nursing has to be to do what's best for the patient.' This she believed, this she taught, this she lived.
Sister M. Consuela White was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Dorothy White Godbout and her brother, Ronald J. White.
She is survived by a dear cousin, Anna Gallivan; several nieces, nephews; cousins and their families; two devoted friends, Joyce Curry and Loretta Rogers and the Sisters in her religious community.
A visitation will be held from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 31st at St. Joseph's Convent, 605 Stevens Avenue, Portland, with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service. Wednesday, June 1st, the visitation will be from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 4:30 p.m. with Rev. Donald McAllister officiating. Burial will be at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, June 2nd in New Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 172 State Street, Portland. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ctcrawford.com.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in
Sr. M. Consuela's memory
can be sent to:
Mercy Hospital
% Mercy Development Office
144 State Street
Portland, ME 04101
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary White
Antonia Fowler
May 23, 2025
I lost my son, Jesse, in 2006. Therefore, I know the importance of saying the loved one's name over the years in order to keep their memory alive. Sr Mary White will not be forgotten.
Amy Cooney
June 3, 2011
I'm so sorry I wasn't able to attend the services for Sr. Consuela. I truly enjoyed every interaction I ever had with her. I didn't come to Mercy until 2003, but Sister Consuela was still very much a presence there. She was truly a lovely woman.
Antonia Fowler
June 1, 2011
I never met Sr Consuela, but I surely benefited from her dedication to the development of the Nursing curriculum at St. Joseph's College of Maine. I was a distance education student in the RN to BSN program and was so very impressed with the quality of the education. It was obvious to me that someone special and very devoted had laid the foundation for the Nursing program. I wish I could have worked with Sr Consuela, or at least met her. She was an unknown inspiration; Imagine what she might have imparted had I met her in person! I am sorry to hear of her passing. I wanted her loved ones to know that she touched my life in a positive and meaningful way, and I am so glad for her time here on Earth. May she be at complete peace now, and forevermore.
June 1, 2011
Her comfort was my strength, her wisdom my inspiration and her love my greatest privilege. I am one of those Mercy nurses whom she capped so many years ago. Barbara Obar, RN, class of 1962, Cumberland, Maine.
Jody Deegan, RN-BC, MSN
May 31, 2011
I was saddened to read about Sister Consuela's death. Our paths crossed many times after I first met her in the mid 80's and we always managed to pick up where we left off at our last encounter. She had an amazing presence and was a true inspiration for nursing. A beautiful woman who will be missed by so many!
Regina Bowler
May 31, 2011
I am so saddened at the loss of Sr. Consuela. She was an amazing inspiration as the chairperson of the department of nursing. I met her when I came to St. Joseph's College in 1984. I've kept her in my heart all these years when I look back at my education.
Regina Dexter Bowler, RN, BSN, St. Joseph's College 1989
May 31, 2011
My husband Lee started working at Mercy Hospital in Jan. 1988 as Director of the Anesthesia School. Sister Consuela was his supervisor, he thought the world of her. In 1992 I was trying to decide whether to go to graduate school at Boston College, and I wasn't very confident that I could accomplish this goal. Lee had talked to sister about my hesitation. Sister said to Lee "tell Carol to come to my office tomorrow morning at 0900" I did not really know Sister at that time, but I left her office that day after her "Pep" talk thinking I could accomplish anything. Subsequently, I did go to BC and receive my MSN in Psych Nursing. Lee and I loved Sister Consuela, and will miss her terribly. I am sure though that she has a place of honor in heaven as she should. Rest in peace Sister Consuela.
Carol & Lee Deisering
Dr. Paul and Bernadette Lam
May 30, 2011
We were saddened to hear today of the passing of Sr. Consuela. She brought great joy to her sister Doroty each time she made a trip to McAdam to visit. She was loved by her nephews and neices and was held in awe and respect by the family. Our acquaintance was established through these events, and our brief encounters with this wonderful lady stay in our memory. Kind, gentle, and unassuming, she left a big impact on all whose path she crossed. We remember her as being humble and gracious and beautiful of spirit.
Having been her mother's family doctor, her sister Dorothy's friend for over 34 years, a friend of the nephews and neices from McAdam, we know that we have all suffered a hugh loss. Sr. Consuela was one of a kind. She belonged to a special breed of character and essence.
Our condolences to the Sisters of Mercy, the family of the late Albert and Dorothy Godbout, relatives, and all those who were graced by her presence in some fashion or other.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paul and Bernadette Lam, Hanwell, NB
Donna
May 30, 2011
a very wonderful caring lady...she was certainly loved by family, friends and all that has known her....thankful that I had the opportunity to meet her....rest easy Sister with your God , you will be truly missed by all.
Dail Martin
May 30, 2011
It was an honor to know you and to be a part of developing the nursing program at St Josephs College. I will never forget that twinkle in your eye, the slight tilt of your head and your smile!!
Susan Wallace
May 30, 2011
Sr Consuela was a constant reminder to us Mercy student nurses of how to be the best we could be.
Sr led by example and gentle nudging toward what was right for the patient.
She had a way that made each of us feel valued and cherished.
Her devotion to Sanctus -her guardian angel-was inspirational.
How we loved to sing along with her favorite songs during student assemblies.
She touched our young lives and we knew how blessed we were in her presence.
Sr. deserved the many accolades celebrating her devotion to the profession of nursing and the way she lived her life of sharing and love.
She will be missed
Lenore St.Pierre
May 29, 2011
I can still hear her words, "You are respectfully requested to attend ..." whatever meeting was held in the auditorium at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. Now she is respectfully requested to attend a special meeting with God her maker in Heaven.
You instilled in us all wonderful nursing skills as well as excellent patient skills, Sr. Consuela. God Bless you.
Lenore (Metcalf) St.Pierre class of 1970
Catherine Lorello-Snow
May 29, 2011
Dear Sister Consuela, I thought you would live forever! You have been my joy filled, intelligent and constant role model. You shared your vision of Nursing and the devotion we must have towards all patients placed in our care. You taught us to always remember that Nursing is a privilege. You taught us the patient's needs always come first and all persons concerned with the patient were to be our concern also--it seemed such an impossible mission! You demonstrated daily how to carry out that mission and "how to care" and, more importantly, 'why' we should care. Sister, we have all become good nurses because of your vision and your tender loving care for each of us! Thank you for the extraordinary journey and the amazing privilege of my Nursing career...I could not have done it without you! We are all, all of your nurses! Thank you so very much for taking such good care of us and holding up the lamp to light our way.
I will miss you.
May you have a well deserved and Heavenly rest in God's arms,
Catherine Lorello-Snow, R.N.
Mercy Hospital School of Nursing
Class of 1977
May 29, 2011
Sister was a wonderful presence in our student lives and after.
and we will always remember Sanctus! One of her favourite songs
"let the rest of the world go by" and we always sing it at our 5 year
reunions. I'm sure she is happy to be with the God she so loved.
Nancy CUrran
Ruth Stinson
May 29, 2011
You will be missed a lot .
Marilyn Durham RN
May 29, 2011
I have been a nurse at Mercy Hospital for 21 years. I had the privilege of encountering Sr. Consuela periodically as she made her hospital visits. She always had a word of encouragement usually seasoned with a touch of humor. In a way it was as if she was a chaplain to the nurses. She will be greatly missed by those of us who have come to know her, highly respect her and love her over the years.
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