Sister Leila Greco

Sister Leila Greco

Sister Leila Greco (Sister St. Julia)

• Date of birth: July 3, 1929
• Date of death: September 17, 2012
• Accomplishments related to: Health, Long-Term Care
• Major Affiliations: St. Joseph’s Heritage, St. Joseph’s Care Group, St. Joseph’s Foundation, Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie

Leila Greco was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, July 3, 1929. She graduated as an RN from St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, in 1954 and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie that same year. Sister Leila Greco graduated with her BScN in 1963. She served from 1955-1967 in North Bay, Blind River, Elliot Lake and Sudbury in various nursing and supervisory positions. In 1967 Sister Leila was appointed as Assistant Administrator at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Port Arthur (Thunder Bay) and from 1968 - 1978 as Administrator. In 1979 Sister Leila was appointed Executive Director of St. Joseph’s Hospital and of St. Joseph’s Heritage, Thunder Bay. 

The Heritage was the result of Sr. Leila’s creative vision that led to the unique concept of “a place for all seasons” - an apartment complex, a nursing home, recreational facilities, services for seniors and fine dining in the Georgian Room, all within one building. This innovative model was intended to give residents a richness of care far ahead of that which so many of their contemporaries would be experiencing.

St. Joseph’s Heritage was quickly filled to capacity and became a futuristic model for seniors’ care within Canada. Without the spirit, dedication, hard work and vision of Sister Leila, St. Joseph’s Heritage would never have been built. Sister Leila was often described as “a force, a mighty force.” It was that force which built the Heritage.

In 2012 a non-profit supportive housing apartment complex in Thunder Bay was named the Sister Leila Greco Apartments in recognition of her vision and commitment to excellence. It is believed that this centre of excellence, sponsored by St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, will continue to maintain Sister Leila’s original vision of integrated support for seniors.

Sister Leila Greco passed away on September 17, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Motherhouse, North Bay. 

Sister Leila will be remembered as a woman of strong faith who lived the beatitudes. Always, the needs of others came before her own, and her capacity for giving was unbounded. 

Submitted by St. Joseph's Foundation of Thunder Bay

Sister Leila Greco on June14, 1976

Sister Leila Greco in 2009

Sister Leila Greco in 2012