Hospital Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis

Sister Joan Margaret Hamann

✝ Monday, October 31st 2022


"For indeed he was crucified out of weakness, but he lives because of the power of God. So also we are weak in him, but toward you we shall live with him by the power of God." (2 Corinthians 13:4)

Sister Joan Margaret stepped into eternity on Monday, October 31, 2022, at 1 p.m. Sister Marylin McCormick and a nurse were with Sister Joan when she died. Her brother John and his wife Stephanie arrived a few minutes later.

Sister Joan Margaret was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 31, 1932, the daughter of James and Isabelle Cawley Hamann. She entered the Congregation on February 1, 1948, and professed her religious vows on October 4, 1950.

Sister Joan Margaret graduated from St. John's Hospital School of Nursing and St. Xavier College with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Sister earned certificates in Premature Infant Nursing and Clinical Pastoral Education.

Sister served as a nurse at HSHS Hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin. She was the Supervisor in the Admitting Department and Secretary for the SHARE Program at HSHS St. John's Hospital, Springfield, IL. Other ministries include Organist, Switchboard, Provincial Accounting at St. Francis Convent, and a volunteer nurse for Dr. James LaFata in Springfield, IL.

Music was in her genes. Sister played the piano for the Sisters in the dining room, particularly during the Christmas Season. Everyone who has read her Advent and Lent reflections would agree that Sister was deeply rooted in her spirituality and theology.

Sister had a special love for nature; she found beauty in everything — trees, flowers, animals, and birds. She had a bird feeder on the window of her room. It seemed at times that the birds tried to communicate with her by pecking at the window.

When Sister Joan could no longer attend the Provincial Assemblies in person, she would faithfully watch them on the closed-circuit television. If they were not televised, and a summary were given to her, she was very engaged and offered relevant questions and comments. Sister kept herself up to date about Province happenings including the many recent changes. She always tried to keep current with all the events of the Province and the International Congregation.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, James Hamann. She is survived by one brother, John (Stephanie) Hamann, River Falls, WI, and two sisters, Jane Lancour, Irvine, CA, and Jean Hamann, Milwaukee, WI, nieces, and nephews. We offer Sister Joan Margaret's family and friends our sincere condolences and the prayerful support of the Christian Community.

Visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent from 4:00-7:00 PM with a Wake Service at 6:00 PM on Thursday, November 3, 2022. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Tom Nairn, OFM on Friday, November 4, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Convent. The burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.

May Sister Joan Margaret enjoy her full reward from the Lord and join the heavenly choir!