OBITUARY: Sister Gertrude Mary Kerin, OP AGE: 99 • formerly of Gloucester City
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Sister Gertrude Mary Kerin, OP of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, died on December 7 at Saint Mary's Home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She was 99 years of age. The daughter of the late Thomas F. and Gertrude Murnane Kerin, she was born November 22, 1914 in Chicago, Illinois.
Sister Gertrude Mary entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh on September 8, 1935, made her First Profession June 27, 1937, and Final Profession August 4, 1943. Sister Gertrude Mary earned her BS in Home Economics from the College of St. Elizabeth, her MA in Education from Fordham University, and her MS in Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. Sister Gertrude Mary began her ministry in secondary education at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Newburgh NY in 1935 as a chemistry teacher. She transferred to the biology department where she remained until 1965. From 1965-67 she served as principal at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh NC. She then moved on to Gloucester Catholic High School in Gloucester NJ, where she started out as vice-principal from 1967-70 and then served as teacher and administrative aide. She moved to St. Mary's Home in 2009 where she remained until her death.
Sister Gertrude Mary received the following awards: Principals Award in 1985 and again in 2001; the St. Mary's Parish Award for Devoted Services to St. Mary's Church and School and Gloucester Catholic High School in 1999; and the Dr. Frank and Catherine Kelly Award for Services to Gloucester Catholic High School in 1997. At the 2005 Gala Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Gloucester Catholic High School she received a Proclamation signed by Governor Cody for her services in education in the state of New Jersey. Sister was raised in Scarsdale, New York, where she belonged to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.
Sister Gertrude Mary is survived by her sister, Evelyn J. Kerin, Deerfield Beach, Florida and her brothers Msgr. Joseph A. Kerin, Charlotte, NC and Thomas Kerin Jr. Alabama. She is predeceased by her sisters, Sister Thomas Mary OP, Marian Kerin, Theresa Kerin and Lorraine Hoyt, and her brother James Kerin.
Visitation and wake in St. Mary's R.C. Church, 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ Wednesday, December 11, 2013, 5-7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 7pm. Burial will take place at the Dominican Sisters' Cemetery on the grounds of Mt. St. Mary College, Newburgh, NY on Thursday, December 12. Donations in Sister Gertrude Mary's name can be sent to the Development Office, 299 N Highland Ave., Bldg. 5, Ossining NY 10562-2327. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through:
