Sister M. Elaine Gurkie, O.S.F.

Sister M. Elaine Sister Edward Gurkie, OSF

Sister M. Elaine Margaret Gurkie, 65, a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, United States Province for 46 years, died after a short illness on January 13, 2009 at St. Mary Hospital in Passaic, NJ. Sister Elaine entered the community from Assumption BVM Parish in Jersey City, NJ in 1957 and professed her first vows in 1962 in Immaculate Heart of Mary

Chapel at Monocacy Manor, Bethlehem, PA. Sister Elaine received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Holy Family College in Philadelphia and her MA in

Education from Seton Hall University. Throughout her years of ministry, Sister Elaine served in the Dioceses of Philadelphia, Allentown, Newark,

Paterson, and Springfield. Her teaching assignments included SS. Cyril and Methodius School, Bethlehem, PA, Blessed Virgin, Northampton, PA, SS. Cyril and Methodius, Clifton, NJ, St. Francis Academy, Bethlehem, PA, St. Ignatius Loyola, West Lawn, PA, and St. Mary School in Closter, NJ. Sister served as principal at SS Cyril and Methodius in Bethlehem from 1978-1984.

Named as first director of St Francis Day Care Center at Monocacy Manor in 1985, Sister Elaine ministered to the children and their families until 1993. Sister spent five years as Dean of Student Affairs at St. Joseph School in New Milford, NJ and four years as principal of St. Mary School in Wharton, NJ. Her parish work experience included St. Peter Church in

Westfield, MA and Holy Trinity Parish in Fort Lee, NJ. From 2007 until her death, Sister Elaine resided at St. Andrew Convent in Clifton, NJ where

she was involved in internal community service.

In addition to her ministry in parishes and schools, Sister Elaine generously shared her talents in service to her religious community. She served as the school supervisor for the province and was a member of the provincial council from 1986 to 1990.

Sister Elaine was the daughter of the late Edward Joseph Gurkie and Mary Julia Sivak. She was preceded in death by her sisters Helen Long and Mary LaChandro and is survived by her religious community, her aunt, Mary Sivak, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins.

The viewing will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, January 15 and from 12:00PM to 2:00PM on Friday, January 16 at Monocacy Manor, Bethlehem. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00PM in Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, Monocacy Manor 395 Bridle Path Rd. Bethlehem. Arrangements have been made by the Connell Funeral Home, Inc., Bethlehem, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the School Sisters of St. Francis Retirement Fund 395 Bridle Path Rd. Bethlehem PA 18017.