Of all the Sisters of the Holy Cross who founded Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, just four remain. The youngest is 60 and the oldest, 80. All continue to play vital roles in the life of one of the biggest hospitals in Idaho. Decades ago, they took vows of chastity, obedience and poverty, and they continue to live out their vows as they age.

The secret to their long and healthy lives? Simple living, meaningful work, social connections, faith, exercise and good food.

Sister Patricia Mulvaney rises at 5 a.m.,  a lifelong habit, to start her day. “Sometimes, I might have a late sleep, until 6,” she says.

She prays. If the weather allows, she walks  30 minutes. Neither the hour nor the routine varies much, and that is just fine with Mulvaney, the 80-year-old former CEO of Saint Al’s. She has spent nearly a quarter of a century seeing to matters large and small at Saint Al’s. Retire? No thanks. Her brain is engaged in work that is meaningful, her body is in good health, and she has a social network of other women in ministries.

She credits her long life to being a nun — a process she started when she was just 20 years old — and good genes. She never drank, smoked or engaged in any of the risky behaviors that can hunt people down as they get older. These days, she works, prays and eats with the three other nuns who work at Saint Al’s.

The four get together regularly at one another’s homes. Two of them share the cooking duties — Sister Mary Louise Deroin, 76, and Sister Beth Mulvaney, 60.

One of the group’s favorite dishes is Asian green salad with garlic chicken, from the “Saint Alphonsus Healing Recipes” book.

“There is a regular schedule, if you will, of prayer, coming together in community and that kind of thing, which is always good for that person’s mental status,” Sister Patricia said.

Each of the sisters has work aimed at improving life for other people.

Sister Alice Mary Quintana has been key to developing programs like a nursing ministry involving  congregations across the Treasure Valley.

Some of the nurses follow the hospital’s cancer patients through their treatment.

Sister Patricia’s younger sibling, Sister Beth Mulvaney, approaches death without fear and won’t want treatment at the end of her life that prolongs the inevitable.

“I’ve not been in that position yet, so I can’t say for myself, but theoretically that’s where I am,” she said.

“I have lived my whole life looking forward to being totally and completely with God. Don’t stop me when I get the chance.”
Sister Mary Louise  spends a lot of time praying for families with loved ones in the intensive care unit. She is stationed right outside.
“Sometimes, they are suffering so much that I cry right along with them,” Sister Mary Louise said.