Sr. Lily May Emert, SP
June 15, 1927 - September 16, 2017
Obituary
LILY MAY EMERT, SP
(Sister Rose Theresa)
Sister Lily May Emert, age 90, a Sister of Providence for 71 years, died September 16, 2017, at Hospice House, Spokane, WA. Vigil Service: Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at 7:00 PM, and Funeral Mass: Thursday, September 28, 2017, at 11:00 AM, both at Mount St. Joseph, 12 W. Ninth Avenue, Spokane, WA. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 7200 N. Wall Street, Spokane, WA, after Mass and reception. Holy Cross Cemetery Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Lily May Emert was born June 15, 1927 to John and Frances (Flanik) Emert, in Seattle, Washington. She was the oldest of three children. Lily May entered the Sisters of Providence in February 1946 at Mount St. Vincent, Seattle, WA, and in August 1946, she became a novice. In February of 1948 she professed first vows and received the name Sister Rose Theresa, and in February 1951 she professed final vows.
Sister Lily May attended Providence Academy in Vancouver, WA, before moving to Spokane where she graduated from Marycliff High School in 1945. From 1955-58 she attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy and was a member of the Alpha Alpha Chapter of the Rho Chi Pharmaceutical Honor Society. In 1991-92 she completed the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program at Providence Medical Center, Portland. In 1993 Sr. Lily May received her National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) certification.
Sr. Lily May’s ministries were in pharmacy and pastoral care which began in Montana: 1948-50 at Columbus Hospital, Great Falls, as a student aide in the Pharmacy and Business Office; then from 1950-55, St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula, in Pharmacy while a part-time student at the University of Montana. After graduating from Creighton University in Omaha, she returned to St. Patrick Hospital as Chief Pharmacist from 1958-68. In Washington: 1969-88 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Walla Walla – Director of Pharmacy, and from 1989-91 a part-time staff pharmacist and volunteer chaplain; in Spokane from 1992-2000 at Mount St. Joseph – Assistant Superior, also during 1998-2002 pastoral care at St. Joseph Care Center. From 2003-16 Sr. Lily May was a member of the Providence Associates Advisory Board and Spokane Regional Coordinator for Associates.
When the Sisters of Providence left Mount St. Joseph in 2013, Sister Lily May began to volunteer at Our Place Community Ministry.
Some of Sr. Lily May’s hobbies were walking, enjoying nature, cooking and reading, while having a balance of prayer and community, as well as spending time with family, friends and her sisters in community.
Sr. Lily May is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her sister, Irene (Emert) Simon, Tacoma, WA; and her brother, Kenneth Emert (Dorothy), Otis Orchards, WA, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057-9016. To view Sr. Lily May’s obituary and picture and to sign her memory book, please visit the website for Bonney-Watson Funeral Home at www.bonneywatson.com
I’m the Assistant Director at Our place Community Ministries.
We appreciated Sr.Lily May’s hours of volunteering in our hygiene department. She always had smile for our clients and a kind word for everyone.
Thank you Sr.Lily May.
Blessings, Mary Ann Hartsfield
I was a student at Sacred Heart Academy in Missoula, MT
and an part-time aid in the Pharmacy at St. Patrick Hospital.
Sr. Rose Theresa was an inspiration for me to continue seeking Religious Life. I thank her and Blessings,
Sister Marie Corr. BVM
I have fond memories of working as an RN with Sister Lily May during her years in pharmacy at St. Mary in Walla Walla. I remember her correcting me one day when I referred to the hospital as St.Mary’s and not St. Mary. She told me that there is only one St.Mary and it should never be plural. I have quoted her on this many times through the years, and have to say that when I read her obituary and saw that it said St.Mary’s, it brought a smile to my face. My sincere sympathy to her family and friends. Also, as a beneficiary of the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, I send my deepest gratitude.
Sister Lily May was a wonderful person and employee at St Mary in Walla Walla. I had the pleasure of working with her when I started as CFO in 1986. She was a truly genuine Christian and she will always be remembered by me.
My supervisor in pharmacy at St Mary Medical Center and a very dear friend