What are you looking for?

A Legacy of Service Unveiled at St. Elizabeth Hospital

October 2025

A beautiful bronze statue, honoring St. Elizabeth of Hungary, now stands tall at St. Elizabeth Hospital (SEH) in Enumclaw. With a royal crown adorning her head, a basket of bread held under one arm, and roses emerging from her cape, the statue represents her long legacy of service and the legacy of service of the SEH team.

St. Elizabeth, a princess from Hungary, was widowed at a young age. She used her wealth to build a hospital for the poor and sick. While the statue was created as an inspiration to the team that serves the community each day, it is also meant to be a symbol of the hospital’s commitment to the Enumclaw community and beyond.

The statue was unveiled on a rainy afternoon in September. SEH team members, along with the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health executive leadership team, board members, elected officials, and community members, came together to celebrate the addition of the statue to the hospital grounds.

"When we envisioned creating this statue for St. Elizabeth Hospital, our aim was to honor the enduring legacy of our patron saint," shared Ketul J. Patel, CEO of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and President of CommonSpirit Health's Northwest Region. "We also wanted to create a tangible representation of the living spirit of service that still defines our work today."

Statue at St. Elizabeth Hospital
A beautiful bronze statue, honoring St. Elizabeth of Hungary, now stands tall at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Enumclaw.

Adding another layer of profound meaning, the statue is also modeled after the late Sister Jude Connelly, who played an integral role at the hospital and across the region. Over her 66 years of service, she touched  thousands of lives as a nurse, a chaplain, an administrator, and a dedicated board member. She had a quiet strength and profound empathy, and she always made sure patients remained at the center of care. Throughout the years, Sister Jude remained a powerful voice for quality health care, and she was a tireless advocate.

"Sister Jude truly exemplified our mission in action," Patel emphasized. "Seeing her reflected in this statue is a powerful way for us to honor her memory and to share her extraordinary commitment to service with the entire community."

Statue unveiling group photo

Since its opening in 1949, SEH has proudly served Enumclaw as a critical access hospital and a vital space for healing and exceptional care.

"We want the statue’s presence to be a constant reminder that St. Elizabeth Hospital is an enduring cornerstone, offering compassionate care to everyone," stated Danna Shaner, SEH president.

Acclaimed artist Mardie Rees dedicated three years to creating the 8-foot statue, meticulously perfecting each and every detail. Her artistic choices are filled with symbolism–the bread is purposefully placed closest to the hospital, amplifying the calling to care for the vulnerable. The roses were positioned closest to Mt. Rainier, conveying the abundance of God’s love.

The combined values of St. Elizabeth and Sister Jude will continue to resonate through the hospital's halls and beyond and guide SEH’s dedicated mission within the Enumclaw community.