Sister Mary Catherine Gurley, who served 13 years in Trenton Diocese, dies
August 10, 2020 at 1:03 p.m.
Private funeral services will be held Aug. 13 in Assisi House and a memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date.
Sister Mary Catherine, the former Sister Margaret Patrice, was born in Boston, MA. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in 1960 and professed her first vows in 1963. She held a bachelor arts degree in English from Neumann University, Aston, Pa.; a master of arts degree in supervision and administration from Rider College, Lawrenceville, and a doctor of education degree from The Catholic University of America, Washington. She ministered primarily in education and administration in the Archdioceses/Dioceses of Trenton, Metuchen, Rochester, N.Y., Portland, OR, Paterson, Worcester, MA., Philadelphia and Boston.
Her 13 years in the Trenton Diocese included teaching in St. Raphael School, Trenton; as principal of Immaculate Conception School, Trenton, and serving as a member of the provincial council for the former St. Anthony Province which was based in Trenton. In later years, she was dean of the School of Education at Georgian Court University, Lakewood.
Along with her education ministry, Sister Mary Catherine also published a number of articles for various publications and played a significant role in the publication of the congregational history for the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.
Sister Mary Catherine is survived by two brothers, Frank and Jim Gurley, and by her Franciscan family. Donations can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
Related Stories
Friday, December 05, 2025
E-Editions
Events
Private funeral services will be held Aug. 13 in Assisi House and a memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date.
Sister Mary Catherine, the former Sister Margaret Patrice, was born in Boston, MA. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in 1960 and professed her first vows in 1963. She held a bachelor arts degree in English from Neumann University, Aston, Pa.; a master of arts degree in supervision and administration from Rider College, Lawrenceville, and a doctor of education degree from The Catholic University of America, Washington. She ministered primarily in education and administration in the Archdioceses/Dioceses of Trenton, Metuchen, Rochester, N.Y., Portland, OR, Paterson, Worcester, MA., Philadelphia and Boston.
Her 13 years in the Trenton Diocese included teaching in St. Raphael School, Trenton; as principal of Immaculate Conception School, Trenton, and serving as a member of the provincial council for the former St. Anthony Province which was based in Trenton. In later years, she was dean of the School of Education at Georgian Court University, Lakewood.
Along with her education ministry, Sister Mary Catherine also published a number of articles for various publications and played a significant role in the publication of the congregational history for the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.
Sister Mary Catherine is survived by two brothers, Frank and Jim Gurley, and by her Franciscan family. Donations can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.