Saint Mary’s medical staff and friends participate in the Bishop’s blessing of Saint Mary’s new guest quarters for families of patients from out of town. Sophia’s House is named for Sophia Dubridge Wege, the mother of the lead sponsor Peter M. Wege. On the far left, Michelle Rabideau, Saint Mary’s Foundation executive in charge of fundraising for Sophia’s House, stands beside her associate Keri Kulala, who delivered her first child four days later, a healthy baby boy named William Briggs Kujala.
For more information on Sophia’s House please visit –Sophia’s House
This Guest House is named for the woman Peter Melvin Wege referred to as “my sainted mother,” Sophia Louise Wege. Born December 8, 1884, Sophia Dubridge grew up on the west side of Grand Rapids in a fun-loving Catholic family. In 1916 the pretty, dark-haired woman caught the eye of widower Peter Martin Wege when his new company, Metal Office Furniture, was doing business with Macey’s where Sophia kept the books. They married in 1917, and on February 19, 1920, their life’s miracle happened at Saint Mary’s Hospital. Peter Melvin Wege, the child they never thought they would have, was born.
Sophia Wege gave back to Saint Mary’s by becoming an active member of the hospital’s Mary Catherine Guild. In turn, Peter carried on his mother’s special affection for Saint Mary’s when he joined the hospital’s board in 1956, being the youngest member by 30 years. Peter’s commitment to Saint Mary’s has never flagged since.