Sr. Marie Gertrude Laliberté, DHS
September 14, 1927 ~ October 31, 2024
Sr. Marie Gertrude Laliberté, 97, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 31, 2024, 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, following a time of study in San Antonio, TX of the Spanish language and culture, 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.
A Mass of Christian burial was held at Corpus Christi Parish/ St Joseph Church, Willimantic, followed by burial in St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam.
Donations may be made to DHS Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 497, Putnam, CT 06260.
The Gilman Valade Funeral Home in Putnam was in charge of arrangements.