LEWISTON — In 1888, under the direction of the order of Grey Nuns, Sisters of Charity became the first hospital in Lewiston. In 1911, the first class of St. Mary’s School of Nursing graduated.

St. Mary’s Health System held an alumni reunion on July 31 to celebrate the 77 years of graduating classes. The school closed in 1988.

The class of 1960, with 11 members present, met for dinner on the evening on July 30, 50 years after graduation. Lewiston resident Louise Pare helped to organize the evening with her classmates. On July 31, Lee Myles, St. Mary’s CEO, welcomed 140 alumni who came from as far west as California, north as Minnesota and south as Florida. Over one-third of the alumni are still active in the nursing care field.

Marguerite Stapleton, a former vice president of mission effectiveness at St. Mary’s, shared excerpts from her soon-to-be published book, “In the Beginning … the History of St. Mary’s.” The book reviews the 121-year history, starting with the birth of Marie-Marguerite d’Youville, the founder of the order of Grey Nuns, who was born in 1701 in a small town near Montreal, Canada. St. Mary’s Health System is deeply rooted in the narrative behind the organization’s present existence.

During the day the alumni had the opportunity to view archival materials from the school and an extensive set of class pictures. “The day was everything we hoped for and more. It was simply wonderful to see so many colleagues and friends. Thank you, St. Mary’s,” one alumna said.