Sr. Mary Celine Gress

Sr. Mary Celine Gress

Sr. Mary Celine Gress

1913-2015

Sr. Mary Celine Gress, a Franciscan Sister of Mary for more than 80 years, died Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at The Sarah Community in Bridgeton, Missouri. She was 102.

Sr. Celine was known as the angel of a peaceful death for her ministry of presence to dying sisters over many years. For hours she would sit with them, holding their hands and stroking their heads, offering comfort and encouragement.

Margaret Mary Gress was born January 17, 1913, in Nebraska City, Nebraska, the oldest child of seven (five girls, two boys) born to Andrew F. and Mary Anna Frances (Zeiner) Gress. She attended a one-room grade school and finished high school at St. Patrick’s in Maryville.

On March 19, 1934, she joined the Sisters of St. Francis of Maryville, Missouri. She received the name Sr. Mary Celine, and she professed final vows October 4, 1939.

She studied nursing at St. Anthony School of Nursing in Oklahoma City, becoming a registered nurse in 1940. Over the years she served in general nursing as well as on obstetrical, surgical and recovery, pediatric, and GU floors. She served at St. Francis Hospital, Maryville, Missouri (1935–1937, 1943–1945, 1950–1953, 1971–1973); at St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (1937–1943, 1945–1949, 1953–1959, 1966–1971); at St. Mary’s Hospital in Nebraska City, Nebraska (1949–1950, 1959–1964, 1973–1976), and at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Hannibal, Missouri (1964–1966). She especially enjoyed night duty—“You get in on everything then.”

In 1976 she began her ministry in pastoral care at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Hannibal and later at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City (1977–1983). From 1984 to 1987, Sr. Celine served in the infirmary at Mount Alverno Convent in Maryville, driving sisters to appointments and otherwise caring for sisters.

Sr. Celine moved to St. Mary of the Angels Convent in 1987, where she volunteered in the laboratory and in Activities. She retired in 1993. She moved to The Sarah Community in March 2011.

Sr. Celine enjoyed crocheting and knitting, as well as corresponding with family. She was known for her deep compassion and caring heart.

Sr. Celine was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Henry and Edward and three sisters, Martha, Rita, and Dorothy. She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Louise Reed, of Nebraska City, Nebraska, as well as other relatives and friends.

A Mass of Farewell will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2015, in the chapel at The Sarah Community, 12284 DePaul Drive, Bridgeton, Missouri, on the campus of SSM DePaul Health Center. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. preceding the mass. Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in St. Louis at 10 a.m. Thursday.