Mary Bernice Pohl, RSM

Sister of Mercy, Nursing Educator and Supervisor

Sister Mary Bernice Pohl, RSM, died at McAuley Retirement Center in Farmington Hills on September 15, 2007, the eve of her 84th birthday. She was born to Louis and Catherine (Thelen) Pohl in Westphalia, Mich. on September 16, 1923 and named Adeline Catherine at her baptism. She joined the Sisters of Mercy in Detroit in 1944. There, she received the name Sister Mary Bernice and made perpetual vows on August 16, 1950.

Sister Mary Bernice earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Mercy College of Detroit in 1951 and a master's in nursing from Catholic University of America in 1960. During her 43 years as a nurse, she served as supervisor at St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing, Mercy Hospital in Jackson and St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids. The majority of her professional years, however, were devoted to nursing education. She was director of St. Lawrence Hospital School of Nursing and Mercy School of Nursing in Dubuque, Iowa, and effectively transitioned the latter to a collaborative program with the local community college. Sister Mary Bernice later became assistant to the dean of the nursing education program at Mercy College of Detroit where she worked with faculty and students for 18 years. She joined the support staff at McAuley Center in 1994 and retired there two years later.

Sister Mary Bernice was entrusted with varied responsibilities throughout her life but always handled them gracefully. As she cared for patients and worked with young women who chose nursing as a career, her companssionate heart, attention to professional standards and non-assuming manner endeared her to all. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, praying and sharing life with the members of her religous community and family.

Sister Mary Bernice is survived by her sisters, Rosaline (Delbert) Smith of Lansing; Sisters Dorothy Pohl, Mary Ann Pohl and Bernadine Pohl, all of whom are Dominican Sisters from Racine, Wisconsin; brothers Rev. Father Leon Pohl of Coldwater; Norbert (Marian) Pohl of Fowler; Gerald (Joan) Pohl of Fowler and Joseph (Marie) Pohl of Holt; many nieces and nephews; friends; and Sisters of Mercy.