On Thursday, October 31st, Sister MARIE GERTRUDE LALIBERTÉ at the age of 97 entered life eternal from her residence at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, CT.
Born in Upton, Quebec, Canada on September 14, 1927, Marie Pierrette Germaine was the 5th of 11 children of Raoul and Maria (Coté) Laliberté. The family immigrated to Connecticut in 1929. She entered religious life in 1947 and made her religious profession in August of 1948, taking the name Sr. Marie Gertrude. This name was difficult for a young student and she became known informally as Sr. McGert.
She received her BA in Education from Annhurst College and a Masters in Education from Boston College. She taught or was principal in several schools in Connecticut and was a school supervisor out of the Diocesan School Office in Hartford for 2 years. Within the congregation, Sr. McGert served as Provincial Councilor, Community Superior and Directress of Novices. In 1985 she moved to San Francisco where she was CCD coordinator.
In 1986, she studied Spanish language and culture in San Antonio, Texas and Sr. McGert followed her heart’s desire and was missioned to Antofagasta, Chile to serve as a pastoral presence to the people there for 15 years. Returning to the US, she began a volunteer ministry with her beloved Hispanic people in Hartford, CT especially at Maria Sanchez School. She retired in 2016 and joined the community at St. Joseph Living Center in 2021.
Sr. Marie Gertrude is survived by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit spiritual family – her Sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and Associates. She is also survived by her sister Sr. Fernande Laliberté, DHS and many nieces and nephews and their children. She was predeceased by her brothers Jean Gilles, Germain, Henry and Marcel and her sisters Muriel, Laurianne, Aldea, Alice and Gertrude.
Calling hours will be on Wednesday November 6, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Corpus Christi Parish/ St Joseph Church, 99 Jackson St., Willimantic, CT with a prayer service at 10:15 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM followed by burial in St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam, CT at 2:30 PM.
