ST. LOUIS - Sister Gayle Evans, who many caregivers knew as a welcoming presence at Mercy hospitals throughout the St. Louis and Washington areas, went home to God on April 20 at the age of 86. She had been a Sister of Mercy for 68 years.
Born Gayle Catherine Evans on Feb. 13, 1940, she grew up in New Orleans under the tutelage of the Sisters of Mercy and entered the order in 1958. She immediately began her education at Mercy Junior College to become a teacher. Sister Gayle completed her undergraduate degree at Webster University in St. Louis, where she majored in English and minored in science.
Her first assignment, in 1963, was to teach “seventh grade everything,” as she put it, at Annunciation School in St. Louis. Years of teaching biology followed in St. Louis and Mississippi junior high and high schools. After earning a master’s degree in pastoral studies at Loyola University in Chicago, Sister Gayle worked in communications and formation for the Sisters of Mercy regional community headquarters in St. Louis.
Sister Gayle joined St. John’s Mercy Health Care (now Mercy St. Louis) in organizational development, with a special focus on producing training videos. In 1995, when Unity Health System was formed, she moved to St. Anthony’s Medical Center (now Mercy South) to serve as director of mission. In 2000, Sister Gayle joined St. John’s Mercy Health Care (now Mercy St. Louis) as director of mission services, where her focus was on new leader and new caregiver orientation, advanced formation and “rounding,” during which time she could interact with caregivers and serve as a confidential sounding board.
Sister Gayle served in this role until her retirement in December 2017. She moved into Catherine’s Residence, the Sisters of Mercy’s retirement home in St. Louis, in 2024. She continued to serve on boards and committees, including Mercy Washington’s board of directors, a position she held since 2013.
Mercy Washington and Lincoln Communities President Marie Moore shared some thoughts:
I'm honored to acknowledge Sister Gayle and her incredible legacy of over a decade of service to Mercy and our Washington community. From the very start of my journey here, Sister Gayle filled my days with light, encouragement and her unforgettable spritely wit. Her honesty and courage have inspired me deeply – not just as a caregiver within this ministry, but as a leader striving to serve others with authenticity and heart.
I’m especially thankful that we captured a photo together nearly a year ago during Health Care Week. The joy we shared was truly palpable, and it's a memory I cherish. I feel so grateful that our paths crossed and that we had the opportunity to work alongside one another this past year. May you Rest in Peace, Sister Gayle, for all you’ve given to Mercy and our community.
