Background
Elizabeth Josephine Hirschboeck was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Stephen and Katherine Hirschboeck on March 10, 1903.
Elizabeth Josephine Hirschboeck was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Stephen and Katherine Hirschboeck on March 10, 1903.
She received a Bachelor of Science in 1927 and a doctoral degree in 1928 from the Medical School.
On December 2, 1922, while a student at Marquette University, Elizabeth survived a serious automobile accident. She was convinced that God spared her life so she could consecrate it more fully to Him. She was thereafter known as Sister Mary Mercy.
Three years later, Senior
M. Mercy left for Riberalta, Bolivia where she stayed for seven years. In 1951, at the height of the Korean War, she requested permission to travel to South of Korea to help with the influx of refugees from the North.
The United Nations approved her request, and she established a medical relief clinic in Pusan that aided thousands of people daily. In 1973, she moved to the lower east side of New York City to establish a mission to the poor of the city.
She remained there until her death on September 20, 1986.
Elizabeth Hirschboeck Papers, Marquette University
The correspondence documents Senior M. Mercy"s daily life, offering insights into early twentieth century-missionary and medical practices. Incoming and third-party correspondence relates to business transactions and donations.
The collection includes numerous family photographs, ca.
1896-1928, and photographs of Senior M. Mercy at her missions in and of Korea, and in Maryknoll, New New York
Miscellaneous material consists of biographical information. A presentation copy of Her Name Is Mercy signed by the author
Newsclippings; obituary notices.
Letters of condolence to Herbert Hirschboeck. And other records.