Sister of Charity of Nazareth Emily Nabholz, formerly Sister Bernard Maria, died Oct. 8 at Flaget Memorial Hospital. She was 91 and in her 69th year of religious life.
Sister Nabholz, a native of Conway, Ark., was a nurse and public health professional who served in Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. She earned a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing and a doctorate in public health.
In Kentucky, Sister Nabholz served at St. Joseph Infirmary from 1950-1956 and as director of nursing at Our Lady of Peace Hospital from 1958-1968. Her congregation appointed her director of health, a role in which she collaborated with other sisters working in hospitals around the country.
In 1975 Sister Nabholz taught psychiatric nursing to students at the Nazareth School of Nursing in Mokama, India.
She was appointed as Southern Provincial in 1985 and in 1987 she was elected president of her congregation. During her term as president, Sister Nabholz worked to increase exchange programs for sisters in India, the U.S., and Belize.
From 1994 and until her death Sister Nabholz ministered as a spiritual director at the SCN Motherhouse in Nazareth, Ky.
Sister Nabholz is survived by two brothers, Charles and Tom Nabholz; nieces; nephews and members of her community.
A visitation and prayer service will take place at 6:30 p.m. at St. Vincent Church in Nazareth. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Oct. 14 at St. Vincent.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the SCN Office of Mission Advancement, P.O. Box 9, Nazareth, Ky., 40048.
