Sr. Francis Gabriel (96) died on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at Mohun Health Care Center in her 75th year of religious profession (celebrating her Diamond Jubilee in Columbus this past Memorial Day weekend).

She was born to Jenny and John Anthony Mahoney in New York City as one of five children. As a child, she recovered from a bout with diphtheria and went on to Blessed Sacrament School before moving to Queens, New York. The summer after her high school graduation, “FG” (as she was fondly known) attended art school and promised her father she’d attend daily Mass. After only a few months of daily Mass with both men and women Religious, she felt called to religious life at the age of 17. She was grateful to the parish priest for assisting her in visiting many congregations of different orders. Through her search, FG felt called to serve as a Dominican. She made her final Profession on August 14, 1934.

Sr. Francis Gabriel earned a Bachelor’s degree in both English and Art from the College of St. Mary of the Springs (now Ohio Dominican University), a Master’s degree in Art History from The Ohio State University, and a Master’s degree in theology from Providence College, Rhode Island.

Early in her ministry, FG taught at schools in Ohio, Michigan, and Connecticut. She went on to serve as the director of the first House of Studies at St. Mary of the Springs. She served at Ohio Dominican College (now University) as Vocation Director and superior of the Sansbury community. Later, she served the Columbus congregation as superior of the Motherhouse, Assistant Vicar for Religious, and Novice Mistress. Upon retiring, she volunteered her time in various capacities at St. Mary of the Springs before moving to Mohun Health Care Center.

Although her eyesight began to fail her in later years, her memory remained as sharp as ever until her death. She loved to tell stories and could easily recall many names and faces from bygone days – she was even known to remember slight idiosyncrasies of students from her first teaching assignments in the 1930s and 40s. 

Sr. Francis Gabriel shared her love for God and for Sacred Scripture in teaching, retreat work, and parish programs. In a letter of gratitude to the congregation regarding her Jubilee celebration, she wrote, “I am grateful to God for granting me these years to serve and to praise Him. I am thankful too, for my Sisters in religion, for my friends, and for my relatives, who have supported and sustained me in my vocation. Your kind and thoughtful remembrance is deeply appreciated.”

DOMINICAN SISTERS OF PEACE

Sr. Anna Thieken, OP born into eternal life on May 27, 2009

Ann  Marie  Buescher, OPA born into eternal life on May 18, 2009

Sr. Marian Keane, OP born to eternal life on May 16, 2009

Sister Maria Fitzpatrick, O.P born to eternal life on May 12, 2009

Sr. M. Barbara Freisen, OP born to eternal life on May 11, 2009

Sister Mary McSweeney, OP born to eternal life on April 30, 2009

Sylvia Ann Gattas, OPA born into eternal life on April 17, 2009

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