A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 9 in St. Lucy Chapel at Villa Walsh, Morristown, for Filippini Sister Geraldine Contento who died Jan. 5 in St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center, Wayne. She was 80.
A native of Trenton, Sister Geraldine attended St. Joachim School and Cathedral High School, both in Trenton. She entered the Religious Teachers Filippini in 1963; received the habit in 1964 and offered her perpetual oblation in 1970.
Sister Geraldine earned an associate’s degree in elementary education form Villa Walsh College, Morristown; a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Seton Hall University, South Orange, and a master of arts degree in Sacred Scripture from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa. She earned certification in patrology and formation from St. Mary’s Abbey, Trappist, Ky., and in spiritual direction from Upper Room Spiritual Center, Neptune. Sister Geraldine received a religious studies certificate from the Sacred Congregation of Clergy, Rome, and was elected by the Religious Teachers Filippini as provincial chapter delegate.
In her 61 years of religious life, Sister Geraldine ministered as a classroom teacher, principal, parish spiritual formator, director of religious education, retreat presenter, spiritual director and served as directress of formation for the Religious Teachers Filippini. She was also appointed local convent superior. She served in the Archdioceses of Newark and Philadelphia and the Dioceses of Camden, Ogdensburg, Paterson and Trenton.
In the Trenton Diocese, she taught sixth grade in Holy Innocents School, Neptune; served in parish spiritual formation in Holy Family School, Lakewood; served as director of religious education in St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette, and was a member of the retreat staff in St. Joseph by the Sea Retreat House, South Mantoloking.
Sister Geraldine is predeceased by her parents and her nephew. She is survived by her brother John, and her two sisters, Rosemary Cougle and Bernadette Piscopo as well as several nieces and nephews and their families.
Burial was in Ave Maria Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Religious Teachers Filippini, c/o Sister Marianne McCann, MPF, Provincial Superior, Villa Walsh, 455 Western Ave., Morristown, N.J. 07960.