dl-sr-chaminade.jpgSister Chaminade Kelley of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, was among more than 40 women and men recognized as Franciscan peacemakers during the 42nd annual Franciscan Federation Conference held July 23-27 in Denver, Colorado.

In the nomination, Sister Jomary Trstensky, provincial superior of the Hospital Sisters, said that "throughout her 60 years of religious life, Sister Chaminade has lived the healing ministry of Jesus, modeled after the lives of saints Francis and Clare, in her life of service. She continues that same spirit in her ministry to the people of Decatur and its surrounding communities."

Currently, Sister Chaminade works part-time at St. Mary's Hospital, Decatur, as a registered nurse in the behavioral medicine unit. She also serves part-time as coordinator of volunteers for Hospice Care offered on the St. Mary's Hospital campus through St. John's Hospice of Springfield and is a part-time parish nurse for Ss. James and Patrick Parish, Decatur.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Sister Chaminade (formerly Rita Kelley) is the daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Hynes) Kelley. She entered the community of the Hospital Sisters on Sept. 8, 1945 and professed her religious vows on June 13, 1948. She is a graduate from St. John's School of Nursing and received post-graduate education in psychiatric nursing in Chicago. She continued her formal education and earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from St. Louis University, a master's degree in nursing from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and a master's degree in religious education from St. Mary's College, South Bend, Ind.