Sister Dorothy Hillenbrand RSM

Sister Dorothy Hillenbrand, RSM Sister Dorothy Hillenbrand, formerly Sister Marie Sacré Coeur, age 92, died Tuesday, August 27 at McAuley Convent in Merion Station. Born in Allentown in 1921, Sister was the daughter of Charles and Dorothy Hindle Hillenbrand, and sister of Richard and the late Charles and John. Sister attended schools in Allentown and Catasauqua, graduating from Catasauqua High School in 1939. She enrolled in St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Bethlehem, PA and received her R.N. in 1942. During World War II, she enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps in March, 1943 and was assigned to Fort Crockett in Galveston, TX. Serving as an active duty nurse in the 40th Field Hospital she was attached to the 9th Air Force. She landed at Normandy three days after the D-Day Invasion. Over almost two years in Europe, she served in England, France, Belgium and Germany. She left the service in January, 1946 with the rank of Captain. In 1948 she enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education in 1951. During this time she lived with a family in West Philadelphia whom, she said, greatly influenced her religious beliefs. In 1952, she was baptized a Catholic at Holy Cross Church, Springfield, PA. For several years, she was employed by the Delaware County Community Nursing Service until she entered the Sisters of Mercy in August, 1956 at age 35. After her profession in 1959, for seven years she was a head nurse then Instructor at Mercy Hospital in Philadelphia. For twelve years at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, Sister held several positions including instructor, staff nurse, Infection Control Practitioner, and (her favorite) Evening Supervisor. She returned to Mercy Hospital in Philadelphia in Patient Relations. She also ministered in staff positions at Villa St. John, Downingtown, and McAuley Convent. In 2003, Sister retired to McAuley Convent where she engaged in the ministry of prayer. Services for Sister Dorothy will be held Friday, August 30 at the Convent of Mercy Chapel, Merion, with a viewing at 10:00 am followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in the Community Cemetery. Contributions in Sister Dorothy’s memory may be sent to the Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, 515 Montgomery Avenue, Merion Station, PA 19066.