Holy Family of Nazareth Sister Stella Louise (M. Edelburg) Slomka, 99, died May 16 at Nazarethville in Des Plaines.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1937 and professed her final vows in 1947. She earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce and finance and a master’s degree in hospital administration from St. Louis University.

She served as the administrator and president of St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital (now Amita Health Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center) from 1959 until her retirement in 1999 at the age of 78.

Committed to responding to the needs of families deprived of healthcare, she directed the construction of the 16-story, 495-bed St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital Center, which was completed in 1975. She also led the renovation of the former St. Mary School of Nursing into Nazareth Family Center and the construction of the medical office building.

Sister Stella Louise served on numerous boards including the Bishop Abramowicz Seminary Advisory Board and the Retirement Research Foundation. She received many awards for her health care ministry, including the Loyola University Community Service Award, Joseph Cardinal Bernadin’s “As Those Who Serve” award and the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award from Pope John Paul II.