Sister Elizabeth Gormley, MM

Born: November 15, 1928
Entered: September 4, 1948
Died: April 23, 2004

Having stated in her Living Will that “God sustains me in physical life, in dying and in life for all eternity,” Sister Elizabeth Gormley finished her long years of suffering and passed into eternal life in Maryknoll Residential Care IV at 3:25 in the morning on April 23, 2004. She was accompanied by Sr. Christine LaTulippe praying with her. Sister Elizabeth was seventy-five years of age and had been a Maryknoll Sister for fifty-five years.

Elizabeth Ann Gormley was born on November 15, 1928 in Brooklyn New York, one of four children, to James and Catherine Finnerty Gormley. Both parents had come to the United States from Ireland and as the children grew they were taught the sad Irish ballads. Soon they were enacting them for friends, singing and falling on the floor in laughter. She had two sisters and one brother.

Liz and her family were parishioners of St. Joseph’s parish in Brooklyn where she was baptized and confirmed, as well as sent to Maryknoll with glowing references. She graduated from Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School and worked two years at Metropolitan Life Insurance before entering Maryknoll at the Venard on September 4, 1948. At Reception Liz received the name of Sister Redempta Marie.

Her First and Final Professions took place at Maryknoll on March 7, 1951 and 1954 respectively. Of note in the evaluations for her Final Profession is the number of comments by Sisters who stated they would like to live with her! A year after Final Profession, during which she worked in the Seminary kitchen and Post Office, Liz was assigned to study Nursing at St. Xavier College and Mercy Hospital in Chicago. She graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. During these years of training she cared for Mother T. McEllegott, RSCJ, who wrote a very affirming letter about the excellent care she received from Liz during a time of serious illness. After a year of working at Bethany, she was assigned to Queen of the World Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri as Supervisor of Nursing and remained there until her assignment in 1965 to the then Africa Region.

Following language school in Makoko, Tanzania Liz served as both catechetical teacher and nurse in Kabanga and Kowak. She moved to Kenya where she did nursing in Nairobi at the Mercy Sisters Hospital, then to Turkana where, in the desert, she did bush nursing with the Medical Missionaries of Mary. An English nurse, Miss Daintrey, worked with Liz in Turkana, and in 2002 sent a letter in which she said that the people loved Liz, looked forward to her clinics and experienced her special care for them. Liz also worked in Eldoret and in Bura-Tana, Kenya and finally served as staff person for two and a half years, 1987 — 1989, at the African World Section House in Nairobi.

During the years between 1977 and 1983, Liz acquired a Midwifery Certificate from Maternity Hospital in Nairobi, an update in midwifery from St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City and another Midwifery Certificate from Booth Maternity Center in Philadelphia. Twice she gave service here at the Center in Mission Education-Promotion, in the Nursing Home and in Health Services.

Liz was a joyful person with a wonderful sense of humor, always ready for a party. She organized one with Sister Joyce Burch for the 75th Anniversary of the Society at the World Section House. Since there were only a few pieces of furniture and a piano in the house, the very large group moved outdoors for Mass and dinner. Everyone wondered at her  daring but Liz loved singing and dancing, parties and eating. A story is told that she carried a large purse when she traveled containing all the essentials. No one worried if they were going with her. After heavy rains one year, the nearest Maryknoll house sent a telegram to Liz: “The rains are over and gone. Arise our loves and come.” The reply came back, “Only a lake between we and thee.”

Another story told by Sister Noreen McCarthy was that one day she visited Liz on the third floor and fell asleep on Liz’ bed while she sat in the chair. On awakening Liz was gone but Noreen found beside her head a bag of candy! Liz had not lost her sense of humor, nor appreciation for the sweeter things of life even in her diminishment. Besides these fun things, Liz had a very deep, poetic side. She loved literature, art, poetry, and concerts. She was an excellent nurse, always ready to help and sensitive to people’s needs.

It is certain that Liz suffered greatly from loss of abilities long before she needed total care. This suffering is a mystery in our lives but Liz was a woman of faith and all who knew, loved and cared for her fostered this. Even toward the end there were moments of recognition and clarity. We thank God for her life and presence among us.

Today we offer condolences to her family and friends here and in Africa.

We welcome Father Carl Meulemans, our Maryknoll brother, who will offer the Liturgy of Christian Burial with us this morning.