to prevent residents from falling into homelessness. More than 12,000 people experienced homelessness in King County last year.

MHNW was created in 1981 when five religious communities came together to fill a need for affordable housing in the Seattle area. Originally called Intercommunity Housing, the organization was founded by Sisters of Providence, Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, the Adrian and Tacoma Dominicans, and Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.

Representatives from each of the religious communities serve on the board of directors. Provincial Councilor Jo Ann Showalter, SP, repre-sents both the Sisters of Providence and the Tacoma Dominicans with whom the Sisters of Providence have a covenant relationship.

“I am grateful for the influence and support that the Sisters of Providence provide for our housing ministry,” said Bill Rumpf, president of Mercy

A publication for the Sisters of Providence and friends

WINTER 2019a iar sC

Addressing a community crisis

On a mission to impact homelessnessSisters collaborate to contribute leadership, funding and out-reach to ease the way for people experiencing homelessness and create long-term housing solutions in the Northwest.

F ollowing in the footsteps of foundress Blessed Emilie Gamelin, the Sisters of Providence have for 175 years reached out to people experiencing homelessness as part of their call to respond to those who are poor and vulnerable.

From the earliest days, even before she took her vows, Emilie Tavernier-Gamelin knew the value of collaboration to increase the impact of her service to the community. She enlisted a group of compas-sionate, socially-minded women to help minister to their poor and vulnerable neighbors in Montreal.

Mother Joseph employed a similar strategy when she arrived in the Washington Territory in 1856 and began building an infrastructure of health care, education and social services. Because of the vast territory that needed attention and a smaller congregation than those typically found in the Midwest and East, collaboration with other religious communities and lay people in the West proved a practical approach for stretching resources to support those in need.

Over the years, the Sisters of Providence in Mother Joseph Province (MJP) have responded to changing times with the same collaborative spirit as their found-resses to make a more significant impact in the community.

qMercy Housing Northwest’s newest completed development, Mercy Othello Plaza, features 108 affordable apartments, mostly 2 and 3 bedrooms— a rare commodity in Seattle. Mercy grew out of an intercommunity collaboration including Sisters of Providence.

p Support services are an important part of empowering people to move past homelessness. Here, residents of all ages at Mercy Othello Plaza learn how to prepare a healthy dinner.

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Today, Sisters of Providence, MJP provides leadership and funds for emergency shelters, transi-tional housing programs, affordable housing units and support services that are transforming the lives of thousands of previously homeless people in the Northwest. These ministries include Mercy Housing Northwest, Transitions and Jubilee Women’s Center. Sisters also continue individual ministries among the people, bringing compassion and hope to displaced neighbors in need. As Mother Joseph said, “Whatever concerns the poor is always our affair.”

Mercy Housing NorthwestMercy Housing Northwest

(MHNW) provides safe, affordable homes to people with low incomes, including families, seniors, people who have experienced homelessness and people with disabilities. With rents well below market rates, MHNW aims

INSIDE: Emilie Gamelin Fund recipients l Photo gallery l Spirit of Emilie award

Learn more or get involved:mercyhousing.org/northwesthelp4women.orgjwcenter.org

Housing Northwest. “Your charism of ‘compassionate love and creative, prophetic solidarity with the poor’ is inspiring. Sister Jo Ann and other sisters on the board keep us focused not just on the physical housing, but on building supportive communities.”

With 41 properties in Washington and Idaho, MHNW serves more than 5,000 people every day. Construction is underway on two new facilities, and another is in the planning stages. Between them, they will bring to Seattle 400 much-needed family apartments along with programs that help residents build stable lives.

TransitionsTransitions in Spokane, Wash., has

been lifting women and children out of poverty since 1995, when the Sisters of Providence, Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Sinsinawa Dominicans, and Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia collaborated to bring together several housing and support services under one organization to more effectively serve the community.

Every day in Spokane, about 1300 people are experiencing homelessness. To help address this, Transitions recently opened the Home Yard Cottages—24 small single-family homes providing a permanent, affordable housing option for families and individuals with a low income, who have disabili-ties or were previously homeless.

“Transitions and the sisters who brought us here had a sense that no one should get left behind, that a community is everyone,” said Ami Manning, director of housing services at Transitions.

The development was built on land adjacent to the nonprofit’s headquarters. Cottages range from 500-square-foot studios to 1,000-square-foot, 3-bedroom houses furnished with beds, dressers, table and chairs, and household basics. Keeping environmental impact in mind, 15 of the homes were built with solar panels and all of them with other energy-saving measures.

In addition to housing, occupants have access to supportive services through case managers, a community building with tech center and laundry, and a future playground and garden.

Other Transitions programs include Women's Hearth, Transitional Living Center, EduCare, Miryam's House and New Leaf Bakery Café.

Sister Judith Desmarais, provin-cial superior, participates on the board of members—a group made up of representatives from each of the founding religious communities—and Sister Annette Seubert is active on the board of directors. Other Sisters of Providence continue a history of volunteering at Women’s Hearth.

Jubilee Women’s CenterJubilee Women’s Center in Seattle

offers a transitional residential program for single women moving out of homelessness. The two-year program gives women the time and support to stabilize, heal from trauma, and make positive life changes so they can reclaim their independence.

The Sisters of Providence trans-ferred operations of their Sojourner Place transitional housing ministry to Jubilee in 2014. Sister Judith Desmarais, provincial superior, and

Jennifer Hall, provincial treasurer, serve on Jubilee’s board of directors.

Jubilee empowers about 60 women a year with affordable community housing, holistic support services, and a focus on employment preparation to advance each woman on her path out of poverty. Jubilee also serves nearly 2,000 low-income women with free referrals, job and life skills classes, clothing boutique and computer lab.

In early 2019, Jubilee will open Martha’s House with room for 12 additional women. Located just a few blocks north of Jubilee’s main site in Capitol Hill, the new home will meet a need for those Jubilee program graduates who would benefit from extra time to strengthen their financial position before making the leap into market rate housing.

Individual MinistriesSeveral Sisters of Providence pursue

individual ministries with people experiencing homelessness, working in partnership with human services organizations in their communities.

Myrta Iturriaga, SP, is one such sister. She assists a social worker at the Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington’s House of Charity (HOC) in Spokane, Wash. The HOC provides emergency services, including meals, shelter and case manage-ment, to an underserved population of men and women while preserv-ing the dignity of each person.

Most of the people Sister Myrta works with are estranged from their families, struggling with addictions and dealing with mental illness. Sister Myrta said it can be challenging, especially during the winter months when more people need services. But she enjoys helping clients build confidence and a sense of community, attending to everything from collect-ing food to raising spirits with birthday celebrations and bingo.

“My work is listening and giving the opportunity to help if we can do it, with warm and loving acceptance just us they are,” said Sister Myrta. l

p Sponsored in part by Sisters of Providence, Transitions’ new Home Yard Cottages provide permanent, affordable housing to 24 low-income families in Spokane, Wash.

uMembers of the Mother Joseph Province leadership team with residents from Jubilee Women’s Center at Sojourner Place in Seattle (2017).

On a mission to impact homelessness

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Sisters of Providence, Mother Joseph Province, last year supported more than 120 organizations that furthered the sisters’ work to serve the most vulnerable members of our communities. Donations included grants, memberships, sponsorships, operating funds, salaries, stipends, capital campaign contributions, program advertisements, tuition and scholarships.t Emilie Gamelin

Mission Fund Committee & Leadership Team Donations 2018

Providence Health Care Foundation, Centralia, WA

Providence Health Care Foundation Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, Spokane, WA

Providence Health Care Foundation, Seattle, WA

Providence High School, Burbank, CA Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation,

Tukwila, WAProvidence Marionwood Foundation,

Issaquah, WAProvidence Milwaukee Hospital,

Milwaukie, ORProvidence Mount St. Vincent, Seattle, WA Providence Mt. St. Vincent Foundation,

Seattle, WAProvidence Newberg Health Foundation,

Newburg, ORProvidence Senior & Community Services

Heritage House at the Market & ElderPlace, Seattle, WA

Rancho San Antonio Boys Home, Chatsworth, CA

REACH, Renton, WARefugee Women’s Alliance, Seattle, WARod’s House, Yakima, WARose Haven, Portland, ORSalvation Army, Seattle, WASchool of the Americas Watch,

Washington, DCSecond Harvest, Spokane, WAShalom Ministries, Spokane, WASophia Way, Bellevue, WASouth Central Los Angeles Ministry Project,

Los Angeles, CASouthwest Athletic Club, Seattle, WASpiritual Exercises in Everyday Life,

Seattle, WASt. Francis Dining Hall, Portland, ORSt. James Cathedral, Seattle, WASt. Joseph Parish, Yakima, WASt. Joseph/Marquette School, Yakima, WA St. Martin de Porres Mission, Great Falls, MT St. Michael Catholic School,

Snohomish, WASunshine Pantry, Beaverton, OR The Fig Tree, Spokane, WA The Ministry Institute, Spokane, WA Transitions, Spokane, WATrinity Catholic School, Spokane, WA Valley Community Center, Clarkston, WAWashington Office on Latin America,

Washington, DCWest Seattle Helpline, Seattle, WA Women of Providence in Collaboration,

St. Louis, MOWomen’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics

& Ritual, Silver Springs, MD World Relief Spokane, Spokane, WAXavier Society, New York, NYYakima Music en Accion, Yakima, WAYWCA Pierce County, Tacoma, WA

Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest, Tacoma, WA

Annunciation House, El Paso, TX ASHA-INC, Portland, ORBeyond Borders, Norristown, PACall to Action, Chicago, ILCarmelites of Hawaii, Kaneohe, HICarmelites Sisters of Our Lady,

Quezon City, PhilippinesCatherine’s Place, Tacoma, WACatholic Charities, Spokane, WACatholic Charities, Yakima, WACatholic Charities of Los Angeles -

San Fernando Region, Canoga Park, CACatholic Community Services

Lazarus Day Center, Seattle, WA Catholic Community Services of

Western Washington, Aberdeen, WACatholic Community Services, Salem, ORCatholic Community Services, Seattle, WACatholic Housing Services, Seattle, WACatholic Legal Immigration Network,

Silver Spring, MDCenter of Concern, Washington, DCCentral Washington Catholic

Foundation, Yakima, WAChief Seattle Club, Seattle, WAChildhaven, Seattle, WAChildren’s Alliance, Seattle, WADaughters of Mary, Uganda, AfricaDe La Salle Blackfeet, Browning, MTDeath Penalty Action Inc., Ghent, NYDowntown Emergency Service Center,

Seattle, WAEarth Ministry, Seattle, WAFaith Action Network, Seattle, WAFaith Community Nursing - Health

Ministries NW, Portland, ORFood Bank at St. Mary’s, Seattle, WAFood for the Poor Inc., Coconut Creek, FLFrom Mission to Mission, Longmont, COFulcrum Foundation, Seattle, WAFutureChurch, Lakewood, OHGiving Voice, Chicago, ILGreat Falls Catholic High School,

Great Falls, MTGuardian Angel Catholic School,

Pacoima, CAHabitat for Humanity of Missoula,

Missoula, MT Heifer International, Little Rock, ARHogar de Esperanza, Nogales, AZ Holy Rosary School, Tacoma, WAHope House, Spokane, WAHouse of Charity, Spokane, WAHousecall Providers, Portland, ORHousing Hope, Everett, WA

Immaculate Heart Retreat Spokane, WA Intercommunity Peace & Justice

Spring Benefit, Seattle, WAInterfaith Worker Justice, Chicago, ILIraqi Student Project Pacific Northwest,

Harrisburg, VA Jesuit Volunteers Corps Northwest,

Seattle, WAJesuits Refugee Service USA,

Washington, DCJubilee Women’s Center, Seattle, WA Kids’ Community Dental Clinic,

Burbank, CAKnowing Me Ministries, Portland, OR La Casa Hogar, Yakima, WAL’Arche Noah Sealth, Portland, ORL’Arche Noah Sealth, Seattle, WALeadership Conference of WomenLife Services, Spokane, WA Loyola Jesuit Secondary School,

Tacoma, WAMary’s Pence, St. Paul, MNMary’s Place, Seattle, WAMedicines for Humanity, Rockland, MAMercy Corps, Portland, OR Mercy Housing Northwest, Seattle, WAMercy Housing, Seattle, WAMissoula Catholic School Foundation,

Missoula, MTMonastery of St. Clare, Great Falls, MTMonastery of St. Gertrude’s,

Cottonwood, IDMulti-Communities, Seattle, WA National Catholic Reporter,

Kansas City, MONational Multiple Sclerosis Society

Greater Northwest, Seattle, WA Navos, Seattle Children’s Home & Ruth

Dykeman Children’s Center, Seattle, WANeighbor Impact, Redmond, OR NeighborWorks, Great Falls, MTNew Beginnings Ministry, Martin, GANew Ways Ministry, Mt. Rainier, MD Northwest Catholic Counseling Center,

Portland, ORNorthwest Coalition for Responsible

Investment, Seattle, WANorthwest Immigrants Rights Project,

Seattle, WANuestra Casa, Sunnyside, WAOblate Sisters of Providence,

Baltimore, MD Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church,

Portland, OROur Place, Spokane, WAPAX Christi USA, Washington, DCPioneer Human Services, Seattle, WAPoverello Center, Missoula, MT Providence Associates of Mother Joseph

Province, Medford, ORProvidence Child Center Foundation,

Portland, OR

Good works & celebrations around Mother Joseph Province

uNew Providence Associates Colleen Simmonds, Olive Wilkins and Kathleen Schlicht celebrate at a reception in Spokane.

t Sisters Vilma Franco and Margarita Hernandez from the Mother Joseph Province, with Sisters María Antonieta Trimpay and Monica Campillay from the Bernarda Morin Province in Chile, visit Rome for the canonization of Archbishop Oscar Romero. It was an extraordinary moment for the sisters and the Salvadoran people when Pope Francis declared him Saint Oscar Romero on October 14. The archbishop was assassinated in 1980 for challenging the violence and social inequalities in El Salvador.

p Sister Susanne Hartung (left) and volunteers from Providence St. Joseph Health serve lunch for homeless women and their children at Hope Place in Seattle.

q Sister Clare Lentz, center, welcomes Lana and Tim Pham, new Providence Associates in Seattle.

p Pictured front row from left, Sister Josie Ramac, provincial councilor, with Sister Nancy Arévalo and Sister Rollande Malo from the general leadership team in Montreal, join volunteers to serve soup and bread at a Table of the King lunch in Renton.

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q Sisters Margarita Hernandez and Deling Fernando at the National Youth Convention in Tampa, Fla., sharing vocation information and praying that more women will be touched by the Holy Spirit to explore religious life.

pA team of walkers recognizes the 175th anniversary of the Sisters of Providence at the Run Like a Nun event during Mission Week at Providence Health & Services in Renton.

u Sisters Eleanor Goligoski, Liz Cole and Myrta Iturriaga with a gift of kitchen towels for the residents of Buder Haven, a low-income apartment complex in Spokane.

Providence Associates Highlights

P rovidence Associates (PAs) are caring women and men of all backgrounds who desire to share the mission and spirituality of Providence without becoming vowed religious. Associ-ates and Sisters of Providence come together in community for mutual faith-sharing, prayer and reflection, workshops, retreats, community gatherings and as co-workers in ministry. They support and challenge one another in living the mission of Jesus Christ.

Here are few highlights from around Mother Joseph Province:

• October was quite a month for receiving new associates. Colleen Simmonds, Kathleen Schlicht and Olive Wilkins were received during Mass at Mount St. Joseph, Spokane, on October 7. Tim and Lana Pham were welcomed October 20 at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle.

• Roberta Sample has always been an extra special PA. As the very first Providence Associate introduced in 1976, she opened the door for more than 250 associates throughout Mother Joseph Province. On October 10 she was recognized by Quilts of Valor Foundation in Gresham, Ore., for another distinction: serving as an Army nurse in the 1960s. In honor of her service, Roberta was awarded a handmade quilt as a reminder of our country’s appreciation and gratitude to service members like her.

• The Portland/Vancouver PAs know how to throw a party! Members of the local Providence religious community, companions, associates and friends came together October 28 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Portland, as part of the annual Dinner of Thanks. It was an evening of gratitude, great food and learning about the work of Immigration Legal Services for Catholic Charities—for which they raised $500 by “passing the hat.” l

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Roberta Sample, PA

Joan Campbell, SP(Sister Joanne)

Sister Joan Campbell, age 81, a Sister of Providence for 62 years, died November 4 at Swedish First Hill Medical Center, Seattle.

Joan Campbell was born June 13, 1937, to John and Vera (Smith) Campbell, in Seattle. She was the youngest of three children. Joan entered the Sisters of Providence in July 1955 at Mount St. Vincent, Seattle, and in January 1956 she became a novice. In July 1957 she professed first vows and received the name Sister Joanne. She professed final vows in August 1962.

Rebecca Berghoff, SP(Sister Rebecca)

Sister Rebecca Berghoff, age 93, a Sister of Providence for 74 years, died September 13 at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle.

Elizabeth Jean Berghoff was born February 8, 1925 to Edward and Eugenia (Creevan) Berghoff, in Yakima, Wash. She was the second oldest of seven children. Elizabeth entered the Sisters of Providence in July 1943 at Mount St. Vincent, Seattle, and in January 1944 she became a novice. In July 1945 she professed first vows and received the name Sister Rebecca. She professed final vows in July 1948.

Elizabeth Jean graduated in 1943 from St. Joseph Academy, Yakima. In 1955 Sister Rebecca earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from the College of Great Falls, now the University of Providence, in Great Falls, Mont. Sister Rebecca received her Master of Arts degree in Education and Administration 1974 from Loyola University, Los Angeles, Calif. She also earned teaching and principal certifications from the states of Washington and California. In 1982 Sister Rebecca became a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International by the Theta Chapter.

Sister Rebecca’s first ministry from 1945 to 1963 was in education as a teacher and principal. In Washington: Seattle – St. Catherine School, Olympia – St. Michael School, and Yakima – St. Joseph Grade School. In Illinois: Des Plaines – Maryville Academy. In California: Sun Valley – Our Lady of the Holy Rosary School and Burbank – Providence High School.

From 1963 to 1976 Sister Rebecca held several positions in school administration at Providence Burbank High School as treasurer, vice-principal and principal. From 1976 to 2000 she continued her ministry in Yakima as principal of St. Joseph Elementary and Marquette Middle schools, then from 2000 to 2002 as assistant vice-principal at St. Joseph/Marquette School. She continued as volunteer vice-principal from 2003 to 2007 before retiring.

In 1976 Sister Rebecca received The Women of the Year Award by the Women’s Council of Burbank, Calif. She was also recog-nized for her significant contributions to the community of Yakima Valley. In October 1989, The Sister Rebecca Berghoff Foundation was founded by volunteers of St. Joseph/Marquette to provide financial support for future generations of Yakima’s families.

She was also the 1994 honoree of the S.I. Anthon Award by Altrusa International, Inc., of Yakima; and the 2001 YWCA Women of Achievement Award recipient for her community service as a Camp Fire board member in Yakima.

When Sister Rebecca retired in 2007, she moved to St. Joseph Residence, Seattle. She enjoyed walking, gardening, cooking, writing poetry, and time with family, friends and her sisters in community.

Sister Rebecca is preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Mary Maxine, SP, Virginia, Helen, and Marjorie; and brothers, Larry and Jim. She is survived by her sister, Kathleen Scott, and nephews and nieces.

Vigil service was held September 20 and funeral Mass was celebrated September 21, both at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery, Seattle. Bonney Watson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057-9016. l

Ella Pitre, PAElla Mae Kirby

Pitre, a faithful Providence Associate for 30 years, died November 10 at age 86.

Ella was an advocate and tireless volunteer for the community. She was active at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Seattle, where she was a member of the first ever parish council. She volunteered at St. Mary’s Food Bank. She was a longtime member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. She was also a charter member of both the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Court 218 and the Ladies of Grace Our Mother of Africa Chapter 38.

Rest in Peace

Joan graduated in 1955 from Holy Angels High School, Seattle. In 1962 Sister Joanne (Joan) earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Seattle University. In 1969, she received a Master of Education degree from the University of San Francisco. She received her Master of Arts degree in theology in 1989 from St. Mary’s College, Moraga, Calif. Sister Joan also earned several accreditations: 1969 – Chaplaincy, and 1989 – President, both from the American Catholic Corrections Chaplains Association, Baltimore, Md.; 1989 – Certification Standards, U.S. Catholic Conference, San Antonio, Texas.

Sister Joan’s first ministry from 1957 to 1982 was in education as a teacher and principal in Washington: Vancouver – Providence Academy and Our Lady of Lourdes schools, Yakima – St. Joseph and Apple Valley schools, Seattle – St. Francis of Assisi and St. Alphonsus schools and Longview – St. Rose School.

In August 1882 Sister Joan began her Chaplaincy Program at Western State Hospital, Steilacoom, Wash. Then from 1983 to 2001 she ministered as a chaplain and detention coordinator in California: Archdiocese of San Francisco; Dublin – U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Federal Correctional Institution; and in Washington at the Federal Detention Center, SeaTac.

In 1990 Sister Joan received several honors: a Certificate of Commendation from the Sheriff’s Office of San Francisco; Certificate of Correctional Practices, Department of the Treasury, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Ga; and as president of the American Catholic Correctional Chaplains Association. Sister Joan represented U.S. Catholic chaplains in Rome at the first International Congress of Catholic Chaplains in 1990. It was at this time that she had the honor of meeting with Pope John Paul II to discuss the serious issue of incarceration in the world.

When Sister Joan retired in 2002, she volunteered as chaplain at the Heritage House at the Market in Seattle, and continued to be an active member and advocate of numerous associations and committees: American Correctional Association, (ACA), American Catholic Correctional Chaplains Association (ACCCA), National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), and spokesperson for the Sisters of Providence advocating against the death penalty in the state of Washington and globally. She resided at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, where she enjoyed spending time with family, friends and her sisters in community.

Sister Joan is preceded in death by her parents, and brother, John. She is survived by her brother, Patrick (Kathleen), sister-in-law, Sue (John), nieces and nephews.

Vigil service was held November 8 and the funeral Mass was celebrated November 9, both at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery, Seattle. Bonney Watson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057-9016. l

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Mary Grondin, SP(Sister Terrence)

Sister Mary Grondin, age 81, a Sister of Providence for 62 years, died November 14 at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle.

Mary Grondin was born January 3, 1937 to Hubert and Geraldine (Blovitz) Grondin, in Detroit, Michigan. She was the fourth oldest of seven children. Mary entered the Sisters of Providence in July 1955 at Mount St. Vincent, Seattle, and in January 1956 she became a novice. In July 1957 she professed first vows and received the name Sister Terrence. She professed final vows in August 1962.

Mary graduated in 1955 from Villa Cabrini Academy, Burbank, Calif. In 1963 Sister Terrence (Mary) earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology/sociology, and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing both from Seattle University. In 1972 she received her Master of Arts degree in Elementary School Counseling, and Master of Education, both from the University of San Francisco. She also earned teaching credentials from Holy Names College, Oakland, Calif.

For her first ministry in 1959, she taught at St. Catherine School in Seattle, then entered the nursing program at Seattle University.

From 1964 to 1983 Sister Mary held nursing positions in Washington: Port Townsend – St. John Hospital; and in Oregon: Medford – Providence Medical Center and Portland – St. Vincent Medical Center. After obtaining her counseling degree, she ministered as nurse/counselor in Seattle at St. John School and St. George School. During these years she also spent

time in the formation program for the religious community.

In 1974 Sister Mary was chosen as one of 36 religious women internationally to participate in an eight-month theology-community life program in Rome, sponsored by the Apostolic Religious Congregations (ARC), where she also traveled to Assisi and the Holy Land.

From 1984 to 2007 Sister Mary became involved in ministry in low-income housing management, first in Washington: Seattle – Vincent House, helping to set up the house as well as managing it for 12 years; Chehalis – Providence Place and Olympia – Providence St. Francis House. She also oversaw the construction and management of Providence House in Oakland, Calif. In Portland, Ore., she managed the early stages of Women’s Intercommunity Aids Resources.

After returning to St. Vincent House in Seattle, Sister Mary retired in June 2007. She continued her ministry in Seattle as an active volunteer board member, director and advisory chair/president of numerous housing ministries, as well as a long-time member of the Providence Medford Medical Center board.

In October 2018 she moved to St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, where she cherished time with family, friends and her sisters in community.

Sister Mary is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Bertyn Marron, Nancy Shallengerger and Elizabeth Grondin; and brother, Hugh Grondin. She is survived by her sister, Gerry Ann Bowser, and nephews.

Vigil service was held November 25 at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle. Funeral Mass was celebrated November 26 at St. Therese Parish, Seattle. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery, Seattle. Bonney Watson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057-9016. l

Claire Gagnon, SP(Sister Marcelle Odile)

Sister Claire Gagnon, age 99, a Sister of Providence for 79 years, died November 17, 2018, at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle.

Marie-Claire Gagnon was born August 12, 1919, to Benoit and Odile (Perreault) Gagnon, in St. Prosper, Quebec, Canada. She was the sixth of seven children. Marie-Claire entered the Sisters of Providence in November 1938 in Montreal, and in May 1939 she became a novice. She professed first vows in 1940 and received the name Sister Marcelle Odile, and then was sent to Sacred Heart Province in Seattle. In November 1943 she professed final vows.

P LEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER

In addition to her volunteer work in the community, Ella made an indelible mark as attendance secretary at Franklin High School in Seattle. During her 30 years on staff, she was regarded by the Alumni Association and Foundation as the matriarch of Franklin High School.

Ella is described as a caring, giving and strong woman, and a second mother to many. In her leisure time she enjoyed fishing, gardening, sewing and crocheting.

Born September 28, 1932, in Prescott, Ark., to John and Rosezena Kirby, Ella was the seventh of nine siblings and three step-siblings. She was the beloved wife to her husband of 62 years, Edgar Pitre; and mother to sons Edgar, Jr. (Sharon), Lawrence (Yun), Tillman (preceded in death) and Keith. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild and her sister Orene Kirby Scott.

Funeral Mass was celebrated November 17 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Seattle. Evergreen Washelli was in charge of arrangements. l

In 1951 Sister Claire earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Seattle University. Later she received certifica-tion as a Pastoral Associate from Chaplain Services, United States Catholic Conference, Washington, D.C. She was also a member, officer and administrator of numerous Washington state and national hospital associ-ations and councils from 1961 to 1974.

Sister Claire’s first ministry from 1940 to 1951 was as an infirmary companion, student nurse and laboratory technician. In Washington: Seattle – Mount St. Vincent and Providence Medical Center, Yakima – St. Elizabeth Hospital. In Oregon: Medford Medical Center. Then from 1951 to 1974 her ministry was in medical supervision and administration. In Washington: Walla Walla – St. Mary Hospital, Yakima – St. Elizabeth Hospital and Olympia – St. Peter Hospital. In Oregon: Portland – St. Vincent Medical Center and Medford – Providence Medical Center.

In 1974 Sister Claire completed her clinical pastoral education in San Francisco, and then from 1975 to 2003 she served in pastoral ministry at Providence Alaska Medical Center, Anchorage, where she started the chaplaincy program. In 2003, during her last year, the new Intensive Care Unit dedicated a special room in her honor.

In 2003 Sister Claire retired and moved to St. Joseph Residence, Seattle. She enjoyed early morning walks and prayers outside, and solving word puzzles in French. She also cherished time with friends and her sisters in community.

Sister Claire is preceded in death by her parents and siblings. She is survived by her cousin, Rita Ebacher, from Ste. Anne de la Perade, Quebec.

Vigil service was held November 25 and the funeral Mass was celebrated November 26, both at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery, Seattle. Bonney Watson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057-9016. l

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cLinda Fitzpatrick, sister-in-law of Sharon Fitzpatrick, SP, died October 6, in Spokane, Wash.

Father Jack Jennings, former St. Joseph Residence chaplain, died October 7, in Seattle, Wash.

Martina Assogonbel, sister-in-law to Marie-Therese Gnamazo, SP, died October 19, in Cameroon.

Sister Gabrielle Nguyen receives Spirit of Emilie award

and presented her with the award.

“I’ve seen Sister Gabrielle’s selfless commitment to the participants we serve,” said Ellen. “She has been instrumental in our implementation of an electronic medical record system…

She has a gift for understanding the intricacies of medication orders and effectively trains our lead PCAs. She approaches every inter-action with a humble, compassionate presence.”

Sister Gabrielle has been in nursing since 1992 and began her ministry at Providence ElderPlace eight years ago. ElderPlace provides medical care, long-term care and social services to support as healthy and independent a life as possible for participants.

“It was a big surprise for me to receive the Spirit of Emilie Award,” said Sister Gabrielle.

Sisters of ProvidenceProvincial Administration, Mother Joseph Province1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016Renton, WA 98057-9016

Non Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSeattle, WA

Permit #1046

A publication for the Sisters of Providence and Friends

a irC asCARITAS is published by The Office of Communications, Sisters of Providence,Mother Joseph Province. Anita Wilkins, Director of Communications

www.sistersofprovidence.net

“I humbly accepted this award with grateful heart to everyone with whom I am so privileged to work for the health and well-being of all the people entrusted to our care. I want to thank the Sisters of Providence for giving me this oppor-tunity to fulfill my calling and to continue to follow the footsteps of Mother Gamelin through the grace of God. All I can say is, Providence of God, I thank you for all.” l

A publication for the Sisters of Providence and friends

WINTER 2019

S ister Gabrielle Nguyen, RN, a nurse at Providence ElderPlace in Portland, Oregon, was honored with the Spirit of Emilie Mission Inspiration Award on September 23. The award is granted annually during the health system’s Mission Week to men and women who exemplify through their work the spirit of Blessed Emilie Gamelin, Sisters of Providence foundress.

Ellen Garcia, executive director of Providence ElderPlace’s Portland sites, nominated Sister Gabrielle

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jt Ellen Garcia, executive director of Providence ElderPlace Portland, presents the Spirit of Emilie award to Sister Gabrielle Nguyen, RN.