Sister Mary Jacob Yelcho, formerly Ruth Yelcho, was called home to God on May 28, 2026, almost one month shy of her 100th birthday. She was born on July 20, 1926 to Jacob and Frances (nee Carlin) Yelcho and baptized on August 15 of the same year. She entered the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine (CSA) on September 8, 1950 from St. Jerome Church. She professed final vows on August 22, 1956. She took her religious name in honor of her father and kept it all her life.
Sr. Mary Jacob spent her life in healthcare. She graduated from St. Vincent Charity Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. When she entered the community, she began her nursing ministry at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio in 1953, and would go on to serve at Timken Mercy Hospital. For many years, she lived and worked at Providence Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. With steadfast courage, dedication to her staff, and a profound commitment to the community, Sr. Mary Jacob led Providence as its president/executive director from 1967 until 1991.
During those years, Sister steered the hospital through many milestones. She saw Providence perform the first open-heart surgery in the state. She guided the hospital into becoming a leader in cardiovascular services, opening the Providence Heart Institute in 1989. She fostered collaboration and educational programs with a hospital in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, one of Columbia’s sister cities. She oversaw numerous building expansions and transitions. Through it all, Sr. Mary Jacob led with love and a quiet but unshakable strength.
In 1988, Sr. Mary Jacob received the Order of the Palmetto award. South Carolina’s highest honor, during the celebration of Providence’s 50th anniversary. In 1993, Sr. Mary Jacob was named Humanitarian of the year by the Palmetto Society of the United Way of the Midlands. These honors were a formal acknowledgement of the selfless spirit that so many people already knew. While at Providence, Sister would make the rounds every weekend to check in with patients, caregivers, and staff. When the hospital held its 4K run events, she made sure to always finish in last place—once proudly announcing that she’d been beaten by an 18-month old. This small action is just one example of Sister’s generous heart; she always placed the care of others ahead of herself.
Sr. Mary Jacob also served on the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina and was the Director of the CSA Associate Program in South Carolina from 1995-1998. In every role, was a radiant example of the CSA spirit.
Sister had a deep love of South Carolina and the many friends she made there. Her friendship, humor, and kind soul will be deeply missed. She is survived by her nieces and nephews who she loved dearly: Mary Kay Mattern (John); Barbara Covell; Carol Carlisle; Patricia Warring (Brian); Robert Covell (Paula); Christine Kisiday (Fred) Donald Covell (Venita) Kara Calhoon (Kim); cousin Dorothy Nugent and dear friend, Thomas Keith and her fellow CSA Sisters and Associates.