“May our presence and care to those most in need reflect the gentleness, esteem, and dignity we see reflected in the life and work of Jesus.” – Saint Vincent de Paul
Sister Loretto Marie Colwell, 86, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) for 67 years, died on April 17, 2026. Born Margaret Christine (Chris) Colwell on October 24, 1939, in Kansas City, Mo., she was the youngest of five children of George William Jr. and Catherine Loretta (née Fay) Colwell.
Chris grew up in a close-knit family and attended St. Therese of Little Flower Grade School and Bishop Hogan High School in Kansas City, Mo. She often recalled a childhood filled with parish life, gatherings of family and friends, sports, and simple joys that shaped her faith and sense of community.
She first met the Sisters of Charity in high school and later developed a deeper appreciation for the Sisters while attending Saint Mary College. This deeper appreciation, along with a “strong pull of the Holy Spirit,” led to her own calling for a future committed to religious life. She filled out her application to enter the SCL Community and was accepted in the fall of 1958. “The day I received the letter of acceptance,” Chris said, “I felt inner peace that I cannot adequately express.”
She entered the SCL Community on August 24, 1958, and received her habit on February 24, 1959, taking the name Sister Loretto Marie.
Sister Loretto Marie earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Saint Mary College in Leavenworth in 1980 and a Master of Health Administration from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Mo., in 1984.
Her ministry spanned decades of leadership in Catholic health care, where she became known for her strong values, thoughtful leadership, and commitment to compassionate service. She began her ministry in hospital settings in Denver, Colo., and Santa Monica, Calif., where she served in administrative and financial roles and later as director of patient business services.
In 1984, she was appointed assistant administrator at St. James Community Hospital in Butte, Mont., and soon after became vice president for marketing and special projects. In 1986, she was named president of the hospital, a role in which she demonstrated both strategic vision and a deep concern for those in need.
For the next 15 years, Sister Loretto Marie served as president of St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Topeka, Kan. During her tenure, she guided the hospital through significant growth and innovation while keeping its mission grounded in care of the whole person. She was known for orchestrating a culture of stewardship and compassion, encouraging caregivers to attend not only to physical needs but also to the emotional and spiritual well-being of patients.
Following her years in health care leadership, she continued her ministry as executive director of Seton Center in Kansas City, Mo., from 2006 to 2018. There, she focused on serving individuals and families experiencing poverty, expanding access to food, clothing, and essential services. She often spoke of the importance of meeting people with dignity and responding to their needs with both care and respect. “It’s exactly what I wanted to do,” she said. “There’s more direct contact with the people we serve.”
After completing her service at Seton Center, Sister Loretto Marie entered volunteer ministry. She brought the same spirit of generosity and attentiveness to this phase of life, continuing to serve wherever there was need. She moved to the Mother House in Leavenworth during the summer of 2025.
Sister Loretto Marie will be remembered as a woman of great faith, integrity, and compassion. Whether leading complex health care systems or serving individuals in need, she remained grounded in the mission of the Sisters of Charity, offering her gifts in service to others with humility and purpose.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her brother Thomas; and her sisters Catherine Herrick and Antoinette Chapman. Survivors include her brother, George Colwell III of Kansas City, Mo.; nieces and nephews; and the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth.
A vigil will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Ross Chapel of the Sisters of Charity Mother House in Leavenworth. A Rosary will be prayed at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Ross Chapel, with the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., also in Ross Chapel. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery on the Mother House grounds. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Retirement Fund, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048.
