Sister Hugh Holtmann, OSF, reached an important milestone on Sept. 3, celebrating her 100th birthday with her fellow Sisters, the staff at St. Francis Convent, and various friends. She was honored at a Mass and with a birthday party organized by her friends from Litchfield and Gillespie. Also in attendance was Dan Perryman, president/CEO at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield — a staff position that Sister Hugh held for about a decade beginning 40 years ago.
The former Eleanore Maria Holtmann was born on Sept. 3, 1913 in Muelheim, Germany. She moved to Chicago with her family as a young child. It wasn't long before she met another young German girl named Augusta "Gussie" Baeckmann, who was to become her lifelong friend.
As an adult Eleanore worked with Father John J. Dussman, a priest known as "the radio priest of shut-ins," visiting the homebound and people in nursing homes. She later met Franciscan friar Father Hugh Marcie, whom she assisted while she was active in programs at the Old St. Peter's in Chicago, and he became her mentor.
When Eleanore was in her early 30s, at Father Hugh's urging, she and "Gussie" took the train to meet the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis in Springfield and the two young women decided to join the Sisters. Eventually Eleanore became Sister Hugh while Gussie became Sister Matthew. The two women remained friends until Sister Matthew passed away in 2002.
Sister Hugh professed first vows with the American Province of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on Oct. 4, 1946. She is a registered nurse who earned a diploma from St. John's Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield, a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, and a MBA in hospital administration from Xavier University.
As a nurse she had a special interest in working with infants and children and also in caring for patients who were in an iron lung. During her religious life she served not only as a nurse but as a hospital administrator (1968-1971) at St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham and at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield (1973-1983); and admitting representative at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville from 1983-2001.
From 2001-2008, Sister Hugh resided in Gillespie and served as a volunteer. Because she also believes in helping animals, Sister Hugh helped out in a "no kill" animal shelter in Benld. She moved to the motherhouse about five years ago.
Sister Hugh is the third-oldest Hospital Sister residing at St. Francis Convent; Sister Charitas Prince is 102 and Sister Gabrielis Hu is 101 — a fact shared by Father Andre Schludecker, OFM, one of the convent chaplains, at Sister Hugh's celebration.
Brian Blasco, director of communications for the Hospital Sisters said Father Andre had a clever way of describing the group. "Father Andre offered a blessing for her (Sister Hugh) and proclaimed that this milestone club now has three officers: Sister Charitas, president; Sister Gabrielis, vice president and Sister Hugh, treasurer," he said.