Divine Mercy Secular Franciscan Fraternity

 Recent Obituaries (Images above)

Helen Therese Caldarone, OFS

d. 2/29/2024

Professed 10/04/1994 - 31 years professed. She was 92

Helen passed away surrounded by her loving family on February 29, 2024. She was a devout member of St. Helen Catholic Church, involved in embroidery and needlepoint, as is evidenced by the Fraternity's banner which she made, as well as designs on chasubles, altar coverings, etc. She worked for many years at a needlepoint store, Needle Nicely (now Seaside Needlepoint) in Vero Beach, where she produced beautiful items. She had a Master of Fine Arts degree from Marymount Manhattan College in New York. Helen met her late husband, Eugene P. Caldarone on Long Island in New York.

Divine Mercy Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order was founded in 1992/93, where Fred Schaeffer, OFS first met them in early 1993. Helen and Eugene expressed the wish to join us. Fred was involved in their formation, and they were professed on October 4, 1994. After that, Helen was elected Minister several times. The Fraternity last met her at our January 2024 gathering at St. Helen's Christian Living Center. Helen was a wonderful person and a great Franciscan.

Her complete obituary is found here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/helen-caldarone-obituary?id=54512473

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 PM, Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at St. Helen Catholic Church, 2000 20th Street,
Vero Beach, FL 32960

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John H. Matthews, OFS
d. 6/13/2023
Professed 10/04/1994 – 30 years professed. He was 84.

These notes based on the very detailed obituary published by Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, Vero Beach, FL. https://obits.coxgiffordseawinds.com/obituary/john-matthews-iii

John was born on October 4, 1938 in Bangkok. At the start of WWII, he and his mother moved to Sherman, TX. He attended Texas A&M, and got involved in Boy Scouting. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air force. He met Elaine, they got married for 59 years before his passing. He had a distinguished career in the Air Force, pursued higher education, and received his masters degree, and eventfully his PhD in History, retiring as a Captain in the Air Force.

“After retirement from the military, John and Elaine and the five J’s settled in Vero Beach, where he began a new career at Indian River Community College as the Director of the Police and Fire Academy. After a few years he then became a professor in the History Department. While at IRCC, John served as president of the Florida Criminal Justice association, while teaching History and Political Science. He eventually retired and vigorously pursued his love of the outdoors hunting and fishing as much as he could, while traveling the globe to see his kids and grandkids and many friends.”

“During John’s lifetime his faith was always at the forefront, second only to his family. During retirement John helped found the prison ministry at St Helen Catholic Church. He also became a Secular Franciscan and volunteered as much as he could in helping spread the good word. John’s strong Catholic faith and belief in family produced five wonderful children and seven grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 10am at St Helen Church, in lieu of flowers and donations please seek and thank all of our veterans for their service.”

John was in the initial group of brothers and sisters that formed Divine Mercy Secular Franciscan Fraternity of Vero Beach, FL. The others, who were professed on 10/04/1994 are: his wife, Elaine Matthews, OFS; Helen F. Caldarone, OFS, and, Eugene Pasqual Caldarone, OFS (deceased); Fred Schaeffer, OFS; Frances Patricia Riordan, OFS (deceased); Jean Kurtz, OFS (deceased).

Please pray for the repose of John and all those who have gone to the Father, and for their surviving family members.

Pray for Veterans

John J. “Jack” Reddy, OFS

d. July 12, 2021 (Troy, OH)
Professed 11/13/2010

"John J. “Jack” Reddy, age 86, formerly of Troy, OH and more recently of Sebastian, FL passed away on July 12, 2021 at Kettering Medical Center. He was born on December 27, 1934 in Harrisburg, PA to the late Bernard F. and Martha (Sobjak) Reddy. 

Jack is survived by his wife of 64 years of marriage: Susanne J. (Mazziotti) Reddy; children: Susanne Reddy Bemis of Delphos, OH; Patrick Reddy of Santa Monica, CA; Martha (Daniel) Lehman of Indianapolis, IN and John B. (Sandra) Reddy of South Boston, VA. Numerous Grand-children. For more information see: https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21677886/john-j-jack-reddy/troy/ohio/baird-funeral-home

Jack was a graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, PA and Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ. He served his country in the Air National Guard from 1952 – 1959. Jack served as Transportation Director with Hobart Corporation from 1973-2001. Jack was a longtime member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Troy, OH and member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of St. Luke Catholic Church in Micco, FL, where he was a Lay Franciscan and Eucharistic Minister to the housebound. Jack was also treasurer of the Irish Club and Chaplain and Past Commander at the American Legion, both in Barefoot Bay, FL. He was a passionate NY Yankees fan, but most of all loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Troy, OH with interment to follow in Riverside Cemetery, Troy, OH. The family will receive friends from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at Baird Funeral Home, Troy, OH. Rosary and Knight of Columbus service at 7:30 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick School, 420 East Water Street, Troy, OH 45373. Condolences may be expressed to the family through www.bairdfuneralhome.com.

(Text from Funeral Home- see link above) /Fss 

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Marie T. Fee, OFS

 d. 11/15/19

Professed 4/18/1948. 71 Years Professed. She was 91. 

 Marie Fee was professed when she was 20, a member in 1948 of the Third Order of St. Francis at the Capuchin parish of St. John the Baptist on 31st Street opposite Penn Station in New York City. She was a widow, lived with her son in Vero Beach, Florida and like most of us, worshiped at St. Helen Church.

 On April 18, 2019, she’s been professed 71 years. We, the Fraternity, celebrated her feast day with a cake and lots of prayers, at our April 14th monthly Gathering. Marie’s feast was mentioned in the Florida Catholic. She passed into the hand of the Lord, this evening, November 15, 2019. 

 May the Lord Bless you and keep you.

May He show His face to you and be merciful to you.

May He turn His countenance to you and give you peace.

May the Lord bless you, sister Marie!

Image by Nancy Thomas, OFS

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Frances Patricia Riordan, OFS 

 d. May 8, 2019

Frances Patricia Riordan, 92, of Vero Beach, FL passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at her home. 

 Pat was born in Meadville, PA and moved to Vero Beach in 1963 from her place of birth. She had worked for Blue Goose Packing House and as an independent caregiver. Pat was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church. She loved to sew. She was a member of Divine Mercy Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order, and was one of the original members of the fraternity, professed on 10-04-1994.

Survivors include daughters Karen Conklin of Vero Beach and Linda (George) Gage of Vero Beach, six grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and three great great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Neil Johnson. Memorial contributions may be made to VNA/Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.

No services planned at this time. Family information from Strunk Funeral Homes.

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Peter Askin, OFS

  of Haymarket, VA passed away on Monday, August 13, 2018. 

 Loving husband to Gloria Askin. Devoted father of Mark (Eliza) Askin, Daniel (Deborah) Askin, Anna Marie Askin, Patrick Askin and Kevin (Heather) Askin. Grandfather of Danny, Trina, Deanna, Hannah, Stella, David, Peter, Jacob, Samantha, Natalie and Jonathan. Great Grandfather to Elijah, Kaitlyn, Hank and Nell. 

 Peter, a retired senior foreign service officer, spent 31 years with the Agency for International Development in various senior overseas and Washington assignments, among which were USAID Mission Director in El Salvador & Guatemala, and as head of the Agency’s Central American Office during the turbulent 1980s. He was the recipient of several prestigious presidential and agency awards for his work and achievements during that time. Peter retired from the Foreign Service in 1992, and then spent several years as an international development consultant, and later developed and taught courses in international development for Tulane University. In addition to a lifelong interest in history and U.S. foreign policy, his hobbies included tennis, sailing and genealogy. He was an active member of Holy Trinity Parish in Gainesville, VA as well as a member of the Secular Franciscan Order, and a frequent volunteer at the House of Mercy in Manassas VA. 

 Peter cherished and never forgot his western roots, was born in South Dakota and obtained most of his higher education in Montana. He served in the US Army as an artillery officer during the Korean War. He and his family came to the Washington area from Idaho in 1959, and he joined President Kennedy’s New Frontier in 1961. 

 Funeral services will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainesville, VA on Thursday August 23rd at 10:30 am followed by a Celebration of Life at the Regency Club. There will be a viewing at Pierce Funeral Home in Manassas, VA on Wednesday August 22nd from 6-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the House of Mercy (houseofmercyva.org) in Manassas, VA.

 Peter Askin was admitted to Divine Mercy Fraternity in Vero Beach, FL on April 8, 2001. He was professed on October 4, 2003 at St. John of the Cross Church. He moved back to Virginia to retire.

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Eugene Pasqual Caldarone, OFS

 January 12, 1933 - January 31, 2018

Professed October 04, 1994 

 Our brother in St. Francis was born on January 12, 1933 in Dorchester, MA. He met and married Helen Flynn Caldarone, OFS, still a member of Divine Mercy Fraternity, Vero Beach, FL 

 Gene was very dedicated to work, devoted to his family and Church. His wisdom and generosity to the fraternity will be missed and fondly remembered. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Feb. 5th, 2018, at St. Helen Catholic Church at 1PM and burial will be at Crestlawn Cemetary at 2:30. 

 See Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home

 Photo (above): St. Helen Church Mass of Christian Burial flyer 2/5/2018 

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Sarah Greer Hardy, OFS

 March 11, 1932 - March 17, 2015

Professed 11-04-1998

 Our sister in St. Francis was born in Jacksonville and lived for a time in Gainsville, Florida. She was a Marine Corps Veteran.

Sarah worshipped at Holy Cross Catholic Church where she served as Sacristan, Altar Server and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist for seven years. She was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order, Divine Mercy Fraternity.

 Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Lane, Vero Beach, Florida 32963 in memory of Sarah Greer Hardy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach.

 For additional information see Strunk Funeral Home

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Benjamin (Ben) Davis. OFS

 1933-2013

 Benjamin Dow Davis, 80, passed away on December 16, 2013 at home. Ben was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio and has been a resident of Vero Beach for ten years coming from Ft. Pierce and Hobe Sound, Florida.

 Prior to joining the Catholic Church at St. Helen Parish, Ben was pastor of Hobe Sound Presbyterian Church in Hobe Sound, Florida from 1976-1985. He was the pastor of St. Paul's Union Church in Chicago, Illinois from 1972-1976 and an assistant pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster Ohio from 1969-1972. He was also the pastor of Beechwoods Presbyterian Church and Sugar Hill Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania from 1965-1969. His first church was at the First Presbyterian Church in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania from 1960-1965.

 Benjamin became a member of St. Helen's Catholic Church and was a professed member of the Divine Mercy Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order, Vero Beach, FL. He was professed on November 19, 2011. He participated in the Christ Care bible study group called "His Sheep" as well as a Wednesday afternoon Bible study.

 Survivors include his wife, Virginia R. Davis (OFS) of Vero Beach, FL., son Benjamin (Heidi) Davis of Vero Beach, FL, daughters Anne Davis of Palm City, FL and Leslie (Tom) Paquette of Lake Wales, FL. He also is survived by three granddaughters, Nicole Paquette (Roger Orr) of Lake Placid, Florida, Renae Campbell of Warner-0 Robbins, Georgia and Tegan Davis of Vero Beach, Florida. Also surviving Benjamin are his sisters, Judith Usternul of Vero Beach, Florida, Sybella Goss of Youngstown, Ohio, Barbara Orr of Lakewood Park, Ohio and Karen (Frank) Wisman of Lehigh Acres, Florida and many nieces and nephews.

 He is preceded in death by his father, Roger Benjamin Davis and his mother, Sybella Dow Davis of Youngstown, Ohio.

 Church services were held at St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach on Thursday, December 19th at 12:00. A reception followed. (Information from Aycock Funeral Homes, Ft. Pierce, FL)

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Kathleen Van Buskirk, OFS

 We were advised that a former member of our Fraternity has passed away on June 26, 2018 in Maryland. Kathleen Van Buskirk, OFS, was professed in the Fraternity on October 17, 2004.                      [Note: Image and following text found on Internet in 2021]     

"Kathleen Anne Van Buskirk, 82, of Hebron, MD, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at her home. She was born April 3, 1936 in Troy, NY and was a daughter of the late Richard and Anna (Bounds) Walsh. Kathleen graduated from Catholic Central High School in Troy, NY. In 1958, she married George and together they enjoyed raising their family. As they moved from New York to Centreville, Virginia to Florida, they valued the friendships they made along the way. Collecting pottery and German Hummel figurines was a favorite hobby. She is survived by her husband, George M. Van Buskirk with whom she enjoyed almost 60 years of marriage." Source: www.shortfh.com

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Older Obituaries (lower Images above)

Jean Kurtz, SFO

Professed: October 4, 1994

Deceased: November 29, 2000

Jean Kurtz SFO, one of our founding members, passed from this life during the morning hours of November 29, 2000. During her last brief illness and hospitalization she was surrounded by family, friends and members of the Divine Mercy Secular Franciscan Fraternity. She received the Sacrament of the Sick from at least three priests who had known her for many years, two of whom ( Fr. Richard LaCorte and Fr. Jim McClain) were in Vero Beach by, what appears to be, a coincidence. 

Patricia Jean Kurtz was born May 5, 1935 in Sioux City, Iowa and moved to Vero Beach in 1985 from Anchorage, Alaska. She was a teacher in the Anchorage Borough School District for 22 years. During her tenure there she served as chairman of the English Department of Dimond High School, and taught honors English classes. She took special pleasure in helping students who had fallen behind to improve their reading skills. After moving to Vero Beach, she volunteered as a reading tutor at St. Helen Catholic Church.

Jean's Funeral Mass was celebrated at 4 pm on Friday, Dec. 1st at St. John of the Cross Church in Vero Beach. Visitation was at Strunk Funeral Home on Thurs., Nov.30th from 5 to 7 pm. followed by a Franciscan Wake Service at 7 pm.

Jean was one of the founding members of the fraternity and will be sorely missed. She led a very holy life. This is how she came to know us. One day, in late 1992, Jean walked into St. Helen's Charismatic Prayer Group Meeting on a Thursday evening. At the appropriate time, she went to the microphone, and introduced herself and she asked: "Are there any Franciscans here?" Fred Schaeffer raised his hand, and Jean told him that she wanted to join the SFO, and if he would please help her begin a Fraternity in Vero Beach. Fred had some Capuchin experiences when he was around 20-22, so he answered he would try. It took many phone calls and much letter-writing to come to a determination just what the procedure was to create a new Fraternity. The reason it was so extraordinarily difficult was because the SFO, formerly Third Order of St. Francis, had just begun the "regionalization" process in the USA and no one was particularly sure what to do with an emergent fraternity. But begin we did, and thanks to Jean, Fred, and also Corrine McCarthy (now living in Maine), the Fraternity was begun and in 1996 we received full Canonical Approval and became a member fraternity of Five Franciscan Martyrs Region (Florida and part of Southern Georgia).

Besides her enthusiastic membership in the Secular Franciscan Order, Jean volunteered to lead the Rosary at Alterra Sterling House on a regular basis. She also was instrumental in bringing EWTN on Cable-television in Vero Beach. She is survived by her husband L.S. "Jerry" Kurtz of Anchorage, Alaska, her son, Lloyd S. Kurtz, III of San Francisco, her daughter, Kathryn L. Kurtz of Juneau, Alaska. She also had two sisters, Joan Boyce and Jane Huffman in Vero Beach and related spouses.

Strangely enough, after Jean passed away, the fraternity began to grow, at first slowly, then more came. We think she's praying for us up there, and we have not forgotten you, either. You're our sister in Christ, in Saint Francis, and you are in our hearts. Thank you for everything. We love you.

November 29th is the feast day of All Saints of the Franciscan Orders. Jean is with them now. 

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Jennie M. Donlin, SFO

Born 3-1-1935

Died September 24, 2008. Professed 04- 21- 1984  top

JULIA McHUGH, SFO

Died December 13, 2009, at the age of 89.

"Julia McHugh, 89, died Dec. 13, 2009, at the Treasure Coast Hospice in Fort Pierce. She was born in Ballin Robe, Ireland, and lived in Port St. Lucie for 28 years, coming from Floral Park, N.Y. Before retiring, she owned and operated a grocery store in New Hyde Park, N.Y., for 10 years. She was a member of St. Lucie Catholic Church in Port St. Lucie. Survivors include a sister, Josie O'Malley of Ireland. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard McHugh; brothers, John, Patrick, Thomas and Richard Feeney; and sisters, Annie Feerick. Mary Kate Jennings, Margaret Hughes, Nellie Conroy and Bridie Fitzsimons." (from: Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers 12/15/2009)

She was born to Thomas and Margarita Feeney on March 4, 1920 and was baptized Julia Theresa on March 6, 1920. Julia was married to Bernard McHugh on January 8, 1949 at Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica, New York.

Julia was Professed into the Divine Mercy Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order on Sunday, November 16, 2003 at St. Lucie Church by the pastor, Fr. Brian Horgan. As a member of that parish, Julia served as a Eucharistic Minister at Mass and brought the Eucharist to patients in Nursing Homes and hospitals as well as to the homebound. Julia also taught the young children preparing to receive the sacramants of Reconciliation and First Communion. Her pastor, Msgr. Burke, in a letter recommending that Julia be accepted for admission to membership into the SFO, stated that her young students were always the best prepared for both of these sacraments.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Lucie Parish on December 17, 2009. Peggy Rysdyke, SFO, Fraternity Minister, and several Fraternity Council members, attended.

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Marcella Ann Richard, SFO

Died July 5, 2005, at the age of 79.

Marcella was born at South Bend, Indiana, on February 11, 1926. For a period of 30 years she was a Registered Nurse at the Miami, Florida, VA Medical Center. She lived in Ft. Lauderdale. She moved to Vero Beach in 1999 and joined Divine Mercy Fraternity since then. The fraternity celebrated the 25th Anniversary of her profession in May 2005. Marcella worshipped at St. John of the Cross Church. She has two sisters in Indiana, and close friends in the area. After the Mass of Christian Burial, on July 6, 2005, she will be transferred to the Palmer Funeral Home in West Bend, Indiana, for burial. Marcella has been very ill for a long period of time. Yet, she managed, with the aid of a friend, to visit us at some of our fraternity meetings. We will miss our Sister in St. Francis, Marcella Richard, SFO. She was special to us. Please pray for her. Please thank Jesus for granting her peace.

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 JOHN (Jack) SOLLOWAY, OFS 

Born:September 4, 1936

SFO Professed: April 21, 1976 - transferred to Divine Mercy SFO Fraternity, Vero Beach, FL; -Died: December 19, 2012, Okeechobee, FL    top

Jeremiah G. Carey, SFO 

Born: September 14, 1924 at Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland

SFO Professed: September 12, 1999 - Divine Mercy SFO Fraternity, Vero Beach, FL

Died December 14, 2010

Jeremiah Gerald "Papa" Carey, age 86 passed away peacefully surrounded by his family listening to Noel Henry on Dec 14th. Born in Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland on September 14, 1924. Jerry moved to Boston when he was 18 and met and married the late Mary A. Tierney in 1952. They raised seven children six boys and one girl. They moved from Canton to Dennis, MA in 1970 where they founded Carey Real Estate. He was a member of Dennis Pines G.C. and Dennis Highlands G.C where he had a single digit handicap. He moved to Vero Beach, FL in 1988 where he was a Eucharistic Minister and a Fourth Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of St. John of the Cross in Vero Beach, FL and St.Pius X of So. Yarmouth, MA. He married Arlene K. Goodwin in 1999 where there enjoyed many years of laughter together. Along with Irish Music and Dancing, "Papa" truly loved the Boston Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, and the New England Patriots. Loving husband of 45 years to the late Mary A. (Tierney) Carey and Arlene K. (Goodwin) Carey of Vero Beach, FL. Loving father of his sons, Kevin and Patricia of So. Dennis, Gerald "Curly" and his fiancé Kelly Walinski of So. Dennis, John and Charlene of So. Dennis, Michael of So. Dennis, Brian and Christina of Dennis, Denis and Carol of W. Yarmouth and his daughter Eileen Carey and Jimmy Herzog of Danvers. Grandfather of Matthew Carey, Bridget Foley, Christopher Carey, Alexander Gleason, Christopher Carey, Nicholas Carey, Zachary Carey, Nicholas Pelkey, Joseph Pelkey, BB Reardon, Ashley Reardon and Savannah Carey. Brother-in-law of Theresa Nugent. Youngest brother of Ted, Peter, Patrick, and Daniel Carey. He is also survived by his step children in FL and many nieces , nephews and family in Ireland and England. A celebration of his life will begin with visiting hours from 3 - 8pm on Friday Dec. 17 at the Morris, O'Connor & Blute Funeral Home, 58 Long Pond Drive, South Yarmouth. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday December 18, at 10 am at Saint Pius x Church, South Yarmouth. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery, So. Dennis. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association , P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090- 6011 Notes of comfort and sympathy may be sent to Jeremiah's family at www.MorrisOConnorBlute.com paid obituary

from: Fri. Dec. 17, 2010, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers                          top

George F. Thomas, SFO

1930 -2007

George F. Thomas, SFO, 77, died July 25, 2007, at Indian River Medical Center

He was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Vero Beach in 1989 from Bedford, NY. Before his retirement, he was the Sales Manager for Readers Digest Publishing Company of New York. He was professed in the Secular Franciscan Order, Divine Mercy Fraternity, Vero Beach, on October 12, 1996. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Virginia, and Toastmasters International (New York)

He is survived by his sons, Richard B. Thomas of Vero Beach, John A. Thomas (Chicago, IL) and George Thomas of Leominster, MA.; brother Mark Thomas, and sister, Maryann Mattaliano, and two grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Catholic Charities, 9995 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410.

It is always sad to lose a friend and brother, but George goes way back with us. He really helped Corrine McCarthy, SFO, in the early days in 1992-1993 with his beloved wife Trudy Thomas, SFO, (see above) in the founding of our Fraternity. May he rest in peace.

The above picture was taken 11/17/2006 and was printed on the Memorial Mass program. Other information was from his Obituary.

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Gertrude Mary Sinnott Thomas, SFO

1927 - 1997

Gertrude Mary Sinnott Thomas, SFO, of Vero Beach, FL and Bedford Village, NY, died on February 6, 1997 after a long illness.

Trudy was born in Brooklyn, NY, the 11th of 13 children. She was employed at Famous Studios, NY, creating animated films such as Popeye and many others. She was a member of the Screen Cartoonist Guild of America for over 30 years.

For most of her life, Trudy was active in Catholic education in Fairfax, VA. She served on the board of trustees at Bishop Dennis J. O'Connel High School. At St. Patrick's School in Bedford, NY, she served on the Enrichment Council and was awarded a Relic of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, by the Sisters of Charity. For 32 years, Trudy sang Soprano in the choir at St. Ann's, Arlington, VA., St. Patrick, Bedford Village, and, St. Helen in Vero Beach where she took part in a 1993 Pilgrimage of the choir to sing at St. Peter's in Rome. Her passion for music and art led her to restoring and preserving statues. She was a ceramist of skill. Her biggest project was the Franciscan Monastery of the Atonement at Garrison, NY. This assignment required more than four dozen statues, many larger than life-size.

Trudy was a dedicated mother. Her concern for the unborn brought her to serve as "Den Mother-Confidant" at a Catholic Charities home for unwed mothers in Westchester, NY. Trudy's great inspiration came when she served as Eucharistic Minister. She was privileged to bring Holy Communion to shut-ins, people in nursing homes and hospitals.

She was married to her husband of 48 years, George F. Thomas, SFO (below, d. 2007). They had a large family of children and grand-children. A memorial Mass was celebrated on Saturday, February 8th, 1997 at St. Helen Parish in Vero Beach, Florida. A Funeral Mass took place at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Bedford, NY, followed by interment at the Cemetery of St. Francis of Assisi in Mount Kisco, New York.

May the Lord Bless you and keep you.

May He show His face to you and be merciful to you.

May He turn His countenance to you and give you peace.

May the Lord bless you, sister Trudy!

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