Convery

Sister Germaine (Phyllis) Convery of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, died Feb. 15 after a two-month illness and complications following surgery.

Born in Butler July 25, 1927, she attended the St. Peter Catholic School and later received her high school education at Mount Alvernia High School in Millvale. She entered the Millvale Sisters of St. Francis in 1945 and made her perpetual profession in 1950. She was given the religious name of Sister Mary Germaine.

She taught in various Catholic schools in the Pittsburgh area for 23 years.

In 1960, she was transferred to the Collegio San Antonio in Puerto Rico and then to St. Ann's in St. Croix.

Sr. Germaine earned her college degrees at Fordham University, Duquesne University and Carlow College.

During her 16 years at St. Ann's, she served the parish as director of religious education and as the director of the diaconate program of the diocese. She also began the Secular Franciscans Order, which continues to flourish today on St. Croix and St. Thomas.

In 1984, she was instrumental in founding the West Indian Franciscans, a religious community which was granted canonical status as a Diocesan Association. That community celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

Sister Germaine returned to the states in 1996 and served in pastoral care at St. Francis Central Hospital of Pittsburgh and in other associated pastoral positions in Texas.

She returned to Puerto Rico and St. Croix in 2004. In 2006, she celebrated her 60th Jubilee by renewing her vows as a member of the West Indian Franciscans.

During the past three years, she has served as spiritual director of the Light of Christ Retreat Center in St. Croix and assisted in the Diaconate Association. Her founding of the West Indian Franciscans has left a truly memorable and indigenous gift to all of the islands of the Caribbean.

She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. John (Ruth) Masters and Mrs. James (Viola) Maletta; and one brother, Francis "Bud" (Donna) Convery, all of Butler. She also is survived by four nieces, four nephews and a number of grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Viola Green Convery and John Convery.

<B>CONVERY</B> — The funeral Mass and celebration of the life of Sister Germaine (Phyllis) Convery, who died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009, will be celebrated Feb. 26 at the St. Ann Church on St. Croix Island. Bishop George Murry and Monsignor Michael Kosak, vicar general, will preside at the services. Burial will be in the St. Ann Parish cemetery.Memorial gifts may be sent to West Indian Franciscans, P.O. Box 1847, Kingshill, St. Croix, USVI 00851.