 Sister Gertrude Cecilia, formerly Theresa Mary Jane Flynn, died at St. Joseph Villa on March 20, 2008. Sister is mourned by her devoted family, friends, former students and parishioners, and members of the Sisters of St. Joseph with whom she lived and worked for 59 years.
Theresa was one of eight children born to John and Gertrude (Dougherty) Flynn. She was born and raised in Philadelphia and attended Transfiguration Elementary School and West Catholic High School for Girls. It was at West Catholic that Theresa met Sister Jeanne d’Arc. Their shared devotion to St. Joseph fostered their friendship and encouraged Theresa to join the Sisters of St. Joseph at the age of nineteen.
As Sister Gertrude Cecilia, she began her teaching career. She brought enthusiasm, joy, and zeal to this ministry as she served students in the dioceses of Charlotte, Harrisburg, Newark, Philadelphia, and Trenton.
Throughout her life, Gertrude demonstrated a great love for people who lived in poverty or on the margins of society. She taught her students the value of generosity, encouraging them to ask for donations for the poor when they celebrated their birthdays. Some former students still continue that practice today.
After many happy and fruitful years of classroom teaching, Gertrude began another phase of life as a Parish Visitor. She also became active in the parish outreach program. Gertrude loved to play bingo and used her winnings to help pay someone’s grocery or electric bill. She baked and sold pumpkin pies and gave the proceeds to victims of AIDS. She was an expert in soliciting funds to benefit others. In reflecting on Gertrude’s life, Geri Rogers, SSJ noted that Gertrude had such a love for those in need that she would give them the “shirt off her back and the shirts off the backs of the other sisters as well.” Her whole life was a preferential option for the poor.
In 2002 Gertrude came to St. Joseph Villa. This was a difficult transition for one who had found such joy in active ministry. As she adjusted to her new home, she reached out in joy and compassion to the residents and staff, whenever she was able to do so.
At her Mass of Christian burial, Sister Patricia Kelly said the following of Gertrude: “Like her patron Joseph, Gertrude made a home in all the communities and ministry sites of her 59 years as a Sister of St. Joseph, not only for herself but also for all with whom she lived and all whom she served. She ‘served the dear neighbor with the same love that Joseph served Jesus and Mary’.” |
