In Memoriam: Sister Denise Simms, D.C.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Denise Simms, D.C., was celebrated Nov. 16, 2013, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Md. Burial followed at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Sister Denise died Nov. 12, 2013, at 103 years of age at Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg. In October of 2013, she celebrated 84 years of vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.

Born in Issue, Md., on Nov. 8, 1910, Sister Denise was one of 13 children born to John Francis and Mary Pauline (Shorter) Simms. She was baptized Elizabeth Ann.

Sister Denise joined the Daughters of Charity in October 1929. Starting as a Seminary Sister (Novice) at St. Joseph Provincial House in Emmitsburg, she completed this formation period at the Mother House in Paris, France. Sister returned to the States and was missioned to St. Joseph Seminary in Emmitsburg in December 1930 to assist with formation of Seminary Sisters.

Sister served as a child care worker at the St. Vincent Infant Home in Baltimore, Md., from 1935 to 1942. She started as a nursing student at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore from 1942 to 1945, where she earned her nursing diploma. Her work as a nurse continued at St. Mary Hospital in Rochester, N.Y., from 1945 to 1946 as a nursing supervisor; and in 1946 at St. Vincent Home and School in Washington, D.C., while also taking classes at Catholic University. In 1950, Sister began work at Labouré Center in Boston, earning her bachelor of science degree in nursing with a minor in public health from Boston College. She remained with the Labouré Center for 21 years.

Sister Denise continued service at St. Ann’s Infant Home in Washington, D.C. from 1970 to 1971 and returned to St. Vincent Infant Home in Baltimore as a sister servant and administrator from 1971 to 1975. She then became administrator of Seton House in Richmond, Va., from 1975 to 1983, transferring to Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg to serve as nursing director until 1990. Sister was the outreach coordinator at Seton Center in Emmitsburg from 1990 to 2003 before entering the Ministry of Prayer at Villa St. Michael.

Sister Denise was preceded in death by her parents and her twelve siblings. Two of her sisters were also Daughters of Charity: Sister Genevieve Simms, who died in 1985, and Sister Mary Magdalen Simms, who died in 1980. Another sister, Sister Mary Edith, was a member of the Order of St. Francis in Utica-Syracuse, N.Y.

Sister Denise is survived by many nieces and nephews and her Sisters in Community.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Sister Denise’s name to the Daughters of Charity, 4330 Olive Street, St. Louis, Mo., 63108.