Slaughter, Sister Mary Claude a Sister of Mercy, died at Catherine's Residence on February 4, 2010. She was born on January 25, 1923 in Fredricktown, MO and was baptized Laura Marie. Sister Claude entered the Sisters of Mercy community at Webster Groves, MO on September 8, 1946 and professed her first Vows on March 12, 1949 . She received her BS in Home Economics from Fontbonne College in St. Louis in 1944, Certificates in Gerontology from Holy Name College, Oakland, CA and St. Mary of the Woods College, Indiana. Her ministry was varied and included Instructor at St. John's Mercy Hospital and Mercy Junior College, Director of Marian Hall, administrator of Mercy Center Conference and Retreat Center, director of McAuley Hall, Director of Dietary at St. Francis Mercy Hospital, Washington, MO. Sr. M. Claude also served on the Community Leadership Team. She was Parish Social Minister at Sacred Heart Parish, Caruthersville, MO and in Springfield, MO served as dietitian at The Kitchen in the Missouri Hotel and then as Chaplain at Mercy Villa. Sister retired in 1999, moved to St. Joseph Convent of Mercy and then to Catherine's Residence in 2006. Sister is survived by her Community of Mercy, her sisters, Virginia (Dr. Robert) Hughes and Sister Mary Kathryn Slaughter, RSM of St. Louis, and her brother, Shelby Claude Slaughter, Jr. (Joy) of St. Peters, MO. She was the dear aunt of many nieces and nephews and a friend to many she met along her journey. Services: Visitation will be at Mercy Center Chapel, 2039 N. Geyer Rd. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, February 5, 2010. On Saturday, February 6 Visitation begins at 9 a.m. with a Prayer Service at 10 a.m. The funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at Mercy Center Chapel. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

St. Louis Post Dispatch, 6 Feb 2010