Sr. Gertrude Maurer

Gertrude Maurer was born April 17, 1934 in Hastings, Michigan the daughter of John and Germaine (Hebert) Maurer. Gertrude was a member of St. Cyril in Nashville, Michigan at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on September 1, 1959. She received the name Sister Germaine at her reception on July 2, 1960 but later returned to the use of her baptismal name. She pronounced first vows on July 2, 1962 and final vows on July 2, 1965.

Sister Gertrude received her A.B. Degree from Michigan State University in 1956 with a major in English and a minor in French and Social Studies. She also received her Master’s Degree from the University of Notre Dame with a major in English and a minor in Communication. She furthered her education and went on to receive a Ph.D. also from Notre Dame with a degree in 20th Century Literature-American.

Sister Gertrude began teaching at St. Agnes in Flint, Michigan prior to attending Notre Dame. From 1971-1979 Sister Gertrude was the Registrar at Nazareth College in Nazareth, Michigan. Sister Gertrude’s Ministry then turned to Peace and Justice and she was a staff member for the newspaper “Groundwork for a Just World” in Detroit, Michigan. Her next ministry was as an Administrative staff member at Transformations Spirituality Center in Nazareth, Michigan where she worked part-time with Social Concerns as well as Retreats and Extended Community. In 1987 Sister Gertrude left the United States and traveled to Kumasi, Ghana (Africa) and ministered for the Center for Spiritual Renewal as a Retreat Spiritual Director. In 1991 Sister Gertrude returned to the United States as the Spiritual Director at Transformations Spirituality Center. From 1999-2002 Sister Gertrude was the Adult Formations Director at St. Monica’s Parish in Kalamazoo, Michigan. For the next eleven years Sister Gertrude was the Spiritual Director at Transformations until 2013 when she reduced her hours to part-time.

Tuesday morning Sr. Gertrude gently slipped into the arms of the One she so dearly loved. With great anticipation, she looked forward to the new life she is now experiencing. These last few weeks, even months, were precious to her as she prepared to bring this life to a close and felt extremely blessed to have had this valuable time of reflection. Gert will be remembered for her loving commitment to family, friends, and her religious community. Almost daily she would be seen walking the campus with cell-phone in hand connecting with a dear one. She was a model of a Sister of St. Joseph who always strived to bring unity and peace between neighbor with neighbor and each person with God. May she who cherished her oneness with her beloved God, with all beings and all of creation, experience now the fullness of that mystery.

May She Rest in Peace!