Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-25
NOTED WOMAN DEAD
Sister Beatrice of Providence Hospital
Passes Away.
At The HEAD OF THE INSTITUTION
Her Career in Works of Charity
and BenevoIence.
TRIBUTE TO HER WORTH

Sister Beatrice. who has been the sister
superior in charge of Providence Hospital
for nearly forty years, died at that insti-
tuition at 12:15 o'clock today. Her death was
caused by general breaking down of her
system, which was due to her advanced
age and the hard work in which she was
engaged for nearly half a century. While
those associated with her in hospital life
have noticed that her health has been fail
ing for the past two years, she has been
confined to her room only a few weeks.
Arrangements for her funeral will be made
late this afternoon or tomorrow.
Sister Beatrice was perhaps one of the
best known women in Washington. and
officials and others who have had dealings
with her deeply regret her death. and the
sad news caused much sorrow. In losing
her the poor and sick Of the city lose
valuable friend, for nobody ever knew her
to turn away a sick or needy person from
the hospital.
Her name was Ellen Duffy, and it Is said
that she was the only child of Union sol
der who died after the close of the
war Almost her entire life has been spent
in this city. She was an accomplished and
highly educated woman, having mastered
several languages. She was possessed of
ability surpassed by few others of her sex.
1t is due TO her superior judgment that the
hospital has been made what it Is.
New Branches Introduced.
Under her management many new
branches of treatment were introduced.
and it was the result of her intercession
that the hospital had the first operating
room of its kind in the United States.
When Congress made provision for the. es-
adjustment of a contagious diseases hos
pital in this city, and there was so much
trouble about getting a site. Sister Beatrice
was the first to come forward and offer
ground on the hospital property.
Even previous to this time she had con-
tagious diseases treated in one ward The
building of the ward was of great in
terest to her but she died before it was
put into operation, for the structure will
not be finished for several days. She never
failed, 1t is claimed to do a charitable act
when the opportunity presented itself.
In addition to her hospital work she
performed many acts of charity outside,
often relieving suffering families during the
winter months. She had some money of her
own, and it is stated that she spent a large
part of it on the hospital.
Tribute to Her Worth.
She was a grand and noble woman"
was the comment of Sanitary Officer Frank
when he heard of her death. And" he
added, "she had all the qualities that made
a perfect Christian"
"She was beyond doubt one of the most
magnificent women in the land. She was
gentle, kind and sympathetic, and her
charity knew no bounds. In all my official
dealings with her she has never refused
aid that in her power to bestow. and
never did she turn a sick person away
from her door. To officials who sought her
cooperation she was always accommodate
ing"
Members of the police department. includ-
ing those connected with the ambulance
service were deeply affected by the news
of her death. Those in the department who
had business at the hospital were always
given the kindest consideration, and the
aged Sister Of Charity frequently spoke of
them as my boys" Every Christmas for
a quarter of century she had remember
ed some of the precincts. and it was only
a few weeks ago that she contributed $25
to the fund for the benefit of the patrol
drivers and those in the ambulance serv-
ice. During recent weeks these men have
felt her absence from the active service of
the hospital management, and never WIS.,
tied the hospital without inquring spe-
cially for the one who had often be-
frended them.
Her Last Illness.
During the last illness Of Sister Beatrice
the patient was conscious most of the time,
remaining so until within short time Of
her death. and she expressed herself as
perfectly willing to lay down her work on
Bsyne Malan and Marbury attended her
and this morning, when 1t was apparent
that she had but a few hours to live.
Father Sullivan, whom she had known for
number of years, called and performed
the office for the dying.
Sister Louise. who has been next in charge
of the hospital. and others Of the sisters who
had been devoted to the who was SO
generally loved. were near when the final
summons came.
Providence Hospital was established June
10, 1861. and was Incorporated three years
later. Soon after the institution was in
corporated Sister Beatrice was placed in
charge and during all these years she has
lad full control of the affairs of the hos
pital, handling all the funds and submit
ting reports at the end of each year.
In her last report she said of the hospital:
From a small and modest beginning I'M
der the fostering care and special interest
of the late Hon. Thaddeus Stevens of Penn
sylVania, who. on all suitable occas ions, be-
friended the institution, and the ever-to- be
remembered gratuitous services of the med
all its appointments, may be consld-
cred model one The hospital was incor-
pOrated by an act of Congress A pril 8, 1854,
since which year Congress has annually APP
propriated sum of money for the support
medical and surgical treatment of ninety
hye INDECENT persons per day. During the
lives and congressional services of the
Hons. ThaddeuS Stevens and Samuel J
Randall they gave this appropriation their
cordial support and influence. The lamented
President Garfield on more than one occa-
sion aided by his influence the humane work
of the hospital
Sister Beatrice was a native of Ireland.
She died at the age Of seventy-three
nE EaTV