Bon Secours St. Francis held a special sendoff for Sister Dorothy Brogan this week to celebrate her decades-long legacy of caring. Her retirement marks the first time since its humble beginnings that the Upstate health system will be without a nun on campus.

A native of Donegal, Ireland, Sister Dorothy was born in 1933. She then emigrated to Philadelphia in 1950 and entered the Sisters of Bon Secours two years later. Becoming a nurse shortly after, she ministered to the sick and dying in Philadelphia, Miami and Port Charlotte, Florida, as well as Riobamba Ecuador before returning to the States. Sister Dorothy began serving the Greenville community in 2000, when the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor passed on their legacy to the Sisters of Bon Secours.

“I was fortunate to serve alongside Sister Dorothy on the St. Francis Foundation Board for more than 12 years when she was, at that time, President of the Foundation,” said Lee Palms, director of the Bon Secours St. Francis Health System Board of Directors. “She always led with such a faith-filled heart and her compassion for God’s children was unwavering. Truly, few things in life are as beautiful as witnessing God’s light shine through Sister Dorothy.”

Most recently, Sister Dorothy served as a chaplain at the Bon Secours St. Francis Cancer Center. She says she enjoyed the day-to-day interactions, from those had with infusion nurses to the moments shared with patients who come in for treatment.

“Most people are very happy to have someone to talk to, especially those coming in for treatment for the first time, and I’m touched by people’s faith and endurance getting through difficult situations,” said Sister Dorothy. “My ministry here is one of presence – being there to listen. It’s not much about saying anything. It’s about being supportive, sensitive, and listening – sometimes to the things that aren’t being said.”

To honor Sister Dorothy and her extraordinary service, a plaque commemorating her service and commitment to the Bon Secours St. Francis family will be prominently displayed at the St. Francis Cancer Center. Additionally, the St. Francis Foundation put a call out for donations and will be using all the generous contributions that were made in her name to fund the Oncology Patient Assistance Fund.

For anyone who would still like to donate in her name, visit https://stfrancisfoundation.com/ and click “Donate Now.” Then follow these instructions:

  • Under Gift Designation, select “Other”
  •  Type “Batson Fund” in the “Where to Apply Donation” field
  • Under Comments/Special Instructions, type “Sister Dorothy”

Sister Dorothy’s retirement comes just shy of her 90th birthday, which she is celebrating this month. Outside of her work with the health system, she lives a very active life – enjoying the outdoors, listening to music, reading, and visiting with family.