FALL 2012 T. Ucy's - St Lucy's

2
Elizabeth Louise VonTersch,
born on March 9, 1930 to
Francis and Berta Blum
VonTersch, in Defiance,
IA. She enjoyed life with 3
brothers. Eugene, Bob and
Dean; and 7 sisters Mildred,
Joyce, Darlene, Bonnie,
Maxine, Marie and Carol.
IN MEMORIAM
Elizabeth left home and
entered the Benedictine Sisters
of Atchison, KS in June,
1947 where she made her first profession in December, 1948
and her final Profession in January, 1952. During her time as a
Benedictine, Sr. Elizabeth taught in Kansas. During the summer
of 1952, she transferred to
California, served in elementary
schools in Coronado, Chula Vista
and San Ysidro. In 1961-62, Sr.
Elizabeth traveled back to Mt. St.
Scholastica College as a student
and returned to teach in Covina.
From 1965, Elizabeth taught at
St. Lucy’s Priory High School for
the next 10 years, mostly Biology
and Chemistry. In the 1975-76
school year Sr. Elizabeth taught at
Bishop Amat in West Covina. She
returned to St. Lucy’s in 1980 and
1968
taught biology and religion and served as Campus Minister.
After St. Lucy’s, Elizabeth spent a year in Seattle University in a
Theology Renewal Program. Upon returning, Sr. Elizabeth was
Director of Parish Ministry at St. Theresa’s Parish San Diego, and
catechetical Ministry in St. Vincent’s and Sacred Heart Coronado.
Sr. Elizabeth loved traveling and seeing her family at reunions.
In her later years, Sr. Elizabeth was overcome by Alzheimer’s and
became dependent. She responded to love and care graciously,
and she saw beauty in people and things surrounding her. Sister
Elizabeth VonTersch died peacefully on March 6th, and was
buried on her birthday, March 9, 2012.
God of our hearts, grant us vision and inspire us.
God of our hearts, grant us light and guide us.
God of our hearts, grant us wisdom and direct us.
God of our hearts, grant us courage and strengthen us.
God of our hearts, grant us trust as we rely on you. Amen
Sister Mary Bride Gormley, St.
Lucy’s Priory High School faculty
member 1966 - 68 and principal
1970-73, died peacefully August
13, 2012 after a brief illness. Sister
Mary Bride also served as prioress
of the community 1978-82.
Sister Mary Bride was a
Benedictine community member
for seventy years entering Mount
St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas
where she attended college.
Sister Mary Bride first served in
California 1948-50, returned briefly to the midwest and
then became a founding member of St. Lucy’s Priory after
returning to California in 1953.
In addition to her service to St.
Lucy’s High School, Sister Mary
Bride was the Dean of Girls at
Bishop Amat High School, an
elementary school principal at
Sacred Heart School, Coronado,
St. John’s, Baldwin Park and most
recently St. Charles Borromeo,
North Hollywood. After retiring
from administration in 2000,
Sister Mary Bride continued to
assist with a variety of school
1968 activities at St. Charles until
2011.
St. Mary Bride’s funeral was held at St. Charles Borromeo,
North Hollywood August 21 allowing former students
and parishioners to join with St. Lucy’s Community in
celebrating her life.
Maxine Gordon, mother of Jeanette Gordon Morello ’69,
grandmother of Kelly Gordon Mullan ’91, mother-in-law of
Susie Beahm Gordon ’69. Maxine was a long-time friend to
the Benedictine Sisters and her volunteer efforts helped to
establish the school.
Van Brewer, father of Jamie ’97, Christie ’99 and Dana ’05
Brewer.