Aston, PA-Sister Gertrude Marie Lawrence, OSF, 95, died in Assisi House on March 7. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 77 years. Sister Gertrude (Angela Benedicta Lawrence) was born in New Oxford, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of Sacred Heart Parish. She entered the congregation in 1930 and professed her first vows in 1932. Her sister, Sister Calvaria Lawrence (now deceased), was also a member of the congregation. Although Sister Gertrude’s early years in the congregation were spent in elementary education, she ministered primarily in domestic work. During her leisure time she enjoyed crocheting. Concerned about the needs of others, she also spent her leisure time visiting and phoning those who were ill or lonely.
Sister Gertrude Marie served for thirty-four years in the Diocese of Allentown. She ministered at St. Mary Convent, Lost Creek (1938-1940); St. Mauritius Convent, Ashland (1942-1945); St. Barthlomew Convent, Brockton (1962-1963); St. Francis Convent, Allentown (1971-1986); Sacred Heart Convent, Allentown (1986-1995); and Holy Ghost Convent, Bethlehem (1995-1999).
Sister Gertrude Marie ministered for twenty-nine years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She taught at St. Mary School, Manayunk (1937-1938). She also served at St. Agnes Hospital (1940-1941); St. Alphonsus Convent (1941-1942, 1963-1964); St. Francis Convent, Bryn Mawr (1952-1954); Resurrection Convent, Chester (1954-1959); St. Elizabeth Convent (1959-1962, 1965-1971); and St. Mary Convent, Bryn Mawr (1964-1965). In 1999 she moved to Assisi House where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
Sister Gertrude Marie ministered in the Diocese of Trenton for three years, teaching at Holy Angels School (1931-1932) and Immaculate Conception School (1932-1934). She also taught at Holy Trinity School, Columbia, Pennsylvania (1934-1935).
Sister Gertrude Marie also served in the New England area. Her ministry there included St. Mary Home in Fall River, Massachusetts (1935-1937); Holy Trinity Convent in Boston (1945-1948); and St. James Convent in West Warwick, Rhode Island (1948-1952).
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Thursday, March 12. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Gertrude Marie is survived by nieces, nephews, and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
