A health care visionary devoted to helping the underserved. 

Sister Xavier Ballance, DC, passed away August 26, 2016 after a short time in hospice care at Providence Hospital in Southfield, MI.  She died peacefully, surrounded by friends and loved ones.

Born in 1933 in Columbus, OH, Sr. Xavier was the only child of Leonard and Frances Ballance. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1954 at St. Louis University, and later an MBA in health care administration at George Washington University in Washington DC. In 1957, she entered the Daughters of Charity, with whom she served until her death.

Sr. Xavier’s ministry assignments took her to Missouri, Texas, Illinois, Louisiana, Washington, DC, Massachusetts, Alabama, Indiana and Michigan. From 1975-1986, she served as president of Providence Hospital in Southfield, MI, and it was during this time she helped purchase the land to accommodate Providence Park Hospital and its beautiful, pastoral health care campus in Novi, MI. She later returned to Providence Hospital, where she served as board chair from 1999-2010.

During her time at Providence, she was a beloved leader, friend, and mentor. As PPPH President Joseph Hurshe said in a message to associates, “Sr. Xavier was our moral conscience and guiding light. We always thought about what she would think and whether she would approve. If hospitals had mascots, Sr. Xavier would be ours.”

St. John Providence President and Chief Executive Officer Jean Meyer said, “She was the heart and soul of Providence-Providence Park Hospital, and a dedicated servant leader for all of us at St. John Providence. Sister lived every day making positive contributions to our world.”

In recent years, Sister continued to advocate for those who are struggling in our communities. Until her recent health setback, she maintained board responsibilities for various causes, including Advantage Health Care for the Homeless, Covenant House Michigan, St. Vincent Sarah Fisher Center, Detroit Community Initiative, Guest House, Southeast Michigan Hospital Board, and Ascension’s Michigan Market. She will be missed not only by friends, loved ones, and colleagues, but also by the many people whose hearts she touched and whose lives she improved.

Visitation for Sr. Xavier will be Tuesday from 2:00 to 8:00 pm with a service at 6:30 pm at the Providence Hospital Chapel, 16001 W. 9 Mile Rd. in Southfield, with a funeral Mass on Wednesday at 10:00 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 19800 Pembroke Ave. in Detroit preceded by viewing at 9:30 am. Interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit. A funeral luncheon will be held at 1:00 pm at Providence Hospital’s Fisher Center. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the following charities: Providence Hospital Associate Hardship Fund, Daughters of Charity International Project Services, and Covenant House.