Submitted by: Dan Rich

Sister M. Gertrude Sullivan CSC

May 28, 1928 - Sept. 9, 2004

South Bend Tribune 9/11/2004

Sister M. Gertrude (Monica Katheryn Sullivan) CSC, was born in Afton, Iowa to the late Raymond Francis and Isabel Katheryn Sullivan. Sister is survived by her sisters, Sister Raymond Mary, Queen of Peace, Notre Dame, Ind., Kateri Sullivan, IHM, and Rosemary (Bill) Dodds, and sister-in-law, Loraine Sullivan, all of California. She is also survived by three nieces, Mary O'Connor, Monica Grycz, both of California, and Eileen Sullivan, New Mexico; and three nephews, Patrick and Bill Dodds, both of California, and Michael Sullivan of Colorado.

Sister Gertrude received her early education in schools in California, Utah, and Indiana. She graduated from Saint Mary of the Wasatch, Salt Lake City, Utah, earning her B.A. degree in education and English. Sister attended Loyola University, Los Angeles, California, earning a Master's in Education: Guidance and Counseling. Sister worked in an insurance office before entering the Congregation of the Holy Cross in Jan. 1947.

She made her first profession in 1949 and final profession in 1952. She began her teaching career in the elementary and high schools of the Congregation in California, Utah, Washington, Idaho, and Nevada. Sister was Principal and Superior in Idaho and in Washington. She returned to Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, in information work as Director of Postulants and then Director of Scholastics.

Sister Gertrude took a year, 1970-1971, for studies in Rome, Italy, returning to Saint Mary's Novitiate as a Director of Novices. She then went to Utah to assist in social work at St. Patrick's Parish in Salt Lake and then at the Bishop Glass Center. Sister came back to Notre Dame to be Superior at Saint Mary's Convent, and in 1981, returned to California to be Ombudsman in Holy Cross Hospital, Mission Hill, Saint Elizabeth's Convalescent Hospital North Hollywood and Toluca Lake Convalescent Center. In 1992 Sister moved to Saint Catherine by the Sea, Ventura, had a sabbatical year in Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1997-1998, assisted at the Holy Cross Welcome Center for Women, Salt Lake City, and retired, 2002, to Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame, where she participated in volunteer service to the Community. She was also active in the Ministry of Prayer until her death. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN 46556.

Wake Service: Sunday, 12 September 2004, 4 p.m., Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame. Funeral Service: Monday, 13 September, 2004, 10:30 a.m., Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.