Senate Concurrent Resolution 670

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE PASSING OF SISTER JOSEPHINE THERESE UHLL, WHO LEAVES A LEGACY OF CHARITABLE AND PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE AT ST. DOMINIC HEALTH SERVICES IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of Sister Josephine Therese Uhll, OP, who was a leader in the public health industry and in the sponsorship of charitable services in Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Dominican Sister Josephine Therese Uhll was born in Morrisonville, Illinois, in 1918 and named Mildred Marie, one of four children born to James B. and L. Josephine Young Uhll. She took the religious name Josephine Therese and made her profession of vows in 1937 at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield; and

WHEREAS, Sister Josephine Therese's legacy of service is the 40 years she gave to health care administration at St. Dominic Health Services in Jackson, Mississippi. She retired in 1995 from her role as President and Board Chair, having overseen the growth of St. Dominic's from a small hospital to a multi-institutional health system that remains today the only Catholic health system in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, one of her most cherished accomplishments was the development of St. Catherine's Village, a life care retirement facility in Madison, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, her earliest years of religious life were spent in elementary school education in Illinois and Minnesota. She was a Fellow of American College of Healthcare Executives; and

WHEREAS, Sister Josephine Therese was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings: Mary Jo Figueira, Roy B., and Dean Uhll. She is survived by her Dominican Sisters; nephews: James D. (Mary Ann) Uhll, David (Dena) Uhll, Robert (Debbie) Uhll, and Thomas (Shirley) Uhll; nieces: Nancy Hay, Barbara (Connie Joe) Mason, and Sharon Therese (Joe) Bencze; and many great-nieces and great-nephews; and

WHEREAS, an advocate for the less fortunate among us, Sister Josephine Therese was an example to others of how to live your convictions with courage, and she will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her special wisdom and wit:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the passing of Sister Josephine Therese Uhll, who leaves a legacy of charitable and public health service at St. Dominic Health Services in Jackson, Mississippi, and extend condolences of the Legislature.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the Board of Directors of St. Dominic's Health Services and the Board of Directors of St Catherine's Village, forwarded to the Mississippi Diocese of the Catholic Church, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.