Sister Mary Corita Heid, RSM, died peacefully surrounded by her family and a Sister of Mercy on May 28, 2025 at the convent of the Presentation Sisters in Dubuque, IA.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025, at Sacred Heart Chapel, Mt. Loretto Convent 2360 Carter Rd, Dubuque, IA 52001. Gathering for family and friends will begin at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Dubuque, IA.

The daughter of Orie Edward and Florence McClain Heid, Lucille (affectionately called Poochie) was born in Pocahontas, IA on May 25, 1937.  She was “the oldest of the five youngest” in the family’s 10 children.

Lucille entered the Religious Sisters of Mercy (RSM) in Detroit, MI on September 7, 1957 and professed her final vows there on August 18, 1965.  After her novitiate she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mercy College of Detroit, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from the University of Iowa and, later in life, certification as a spiritual director from St. Joseph Educational Center Institute of Spiritual Guidance.

After beginning her ministry as a nurse, Sister Corita quickly moved into administration in Mercy Hospitals in Iowa and Michigan.  She served as assistant administrator at St. Joseph Mercy Hospitals in Sioux City, IA and in Ann Arbor, MI; administrator at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque, IA and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Mason City, IA.  Later she became President and CEO in Dubuque then President and CEO of the Sisters of Mercy Health Corporation headquartered in Farmington Hills, MI.  From 1994 to 2015 she served as Full-time Trustee for Mercy Health Network of Iowa.  A publication of MercyOne North Iowa described  Sister Corita as “a mentor and confidant to many chief executive officers and leaders.”

In 2006 she received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Iowa, College of Public Health.  She published several professional articles including “Getting Ready to Govern” in Chicago Trustee (2013) and “Urban Hospitals: Their Plight and Mission” in the Henry Ford Hospital Medical Journal, available at https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/hfmedjournal/vol40/iss1/19.

Sister Corita was a deeply spiritual woman with a warm sense of humor and an infectious laugh.  From 1998 until shortly before her death, she lived in Mason City, IA and was a spiritual director/companion to many while continuing to serve on health care boards for several religious congregations in the U.S. and Canada.  She also served on committees for the Religious Sisters of Mercy including the Detroit Community’s response to Pope Francis’ invitation to send input to the Vatican Synod.

Sister Corita is survived by her siblings Marge (Dave) Ipsan, Nancy (Bob) Garretson and Lori (Richard, deceased) Wignall and sister-in-law Sharon Heid.

She was preceded in death by her parents Orie and Florence Heid and siblings, June (Emmett) Lawler, Jenny (Don) Davis, Joan (Bob) Davis, Lavonne (Matt) Ward, Jack Heid, Kenny Heid, and numerous loving nieces and nephews, grand and great grand nieces and nephews.

Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, Dubuque, IA is assisting the family.