The Angel of AA

She’s been called “The Angel of Alcoholics Anonymous.” Born Della Mary Gavin on New Year’s Day 1889 in Ireland, she came to the United States in 1914.

In 1915 Della entered the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine (CSA) religious order, taking the name Mary Ignatia. A trained musician, she was a music teacher until her order transferred her to Akron, Ohio in 1929 where she began working in the admissions office at St. Thomas Hospital. It was in that capacity that she first met and worked with “Dr. Bob” Smith, the alcoholic-physician co-founder of A.A., the popular 12-step program established in 1935. Together, in 1939, they opened the first alcoholism treatment ward in the country.

For more than twenty-five years - during a time when alcoholism was viewed as a character weakness rather than a disease - she overcame many obstacles to personally care for thousands of alcoholics in Akron and later in Cleveland at St. Vincent Charity Hospital where she transferred in 1952.

Dr. Bob died in 1950. Speaking with his A.A. co-founder, alcoholic-stockbroker Bill Wilson in 1954, Sister Ignatia shared treasured remembrances of her work with Dr. Bob:

“Dr. Bob was the essence of professional dignity. He had a fine sense of humor and exceptional vocabulary…. Now, as I look back over the years, I realize that Dr. Bob was slowly but surely preparing me for the great project he had in mind. We often discussed the problem of alcoholism and the tragedies caused by excessive drinking. The individual given to alcoholic addiction is frequently a wreck of humanity – broken in body and soul, and heart and unable to help himself. His loved ones suffer, too; there were many broken homes and hearts because of compulsive drinking.”¹

When she arrived in Cleveland in 1954 she found the alcoholic ward was part of a dilapidated wing and in need of renovation. Under her leadership the ward was transformed to a modern facility with help from A.A. members with carpentry skills. Its new name became Rosary Hall Solarium.

Over the years she provided each patient who left her care with a Sacred Heart badge asking each recipient to promise that they would return the badge before they drank again.

Sister Ignatia died in West Richfield, Ohio on April 1, 1966, aged 77. Nearly 3,000 people, including Bill Wilson, attended her funeral Mass in Cleveland’s St. John Cathedral.

“The frail, starched little woman of mercy conducted a one-woman campaign against alcoholism and is credited with helping more than 10,000 alcoholics.”²

Requiescat in pace, Sister Ignatia.

1. aa.org

2. Obituary, Akron Beacon Journal, April 2, 1966, 1.