The oldest living alumnus of St. Joseph Hospital's School of Nursing in

Elmira, Sister Mary Roch Basso, died Oct. 13, 2003. She was 98.

A native of Susquehanna, Pa., Sister Basso graduated as a registered

nurse in 1926 and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in Rochester in

1927. She began her nursing career at St. Joseph Hospital in 1931,

spending most of her assignment there in the maternity department.

Although she retired in 1981, she volunteered at the hospital for an

additional 19 years, ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of

patients.

Noted for personifying the virtue of Christian charity, she touched

the lives of thousands and took pride in hearing from countless area

residents that she was "on duty" when they were born.

Sister Basso, predeceased by her eight siblings, is survived by her

nieces and nephews and her sisters in the congregation. Her funeral

liturgy was celebrated in the motherhouse chapel on Oct. 17 with burial

in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 150 French Road,

Rochester, NY 14618.