School Sisters of St. Francis

Sister M. Bernadette Giba, formerly known as Sister Rosita, a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis of the United States Province and in her 55th year of profession, died on Friday, January 15, at Mount Assisi Convent Motherhouse in Bellevue PA at the age of 72. Sister Bernadette entered the community from St. Gabriel Parish Northside, Pittsburgh PA in 1954 and professed her first vows in 1955 at Mount Assisi Convent in Pittsburgh PA. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Carlow University and a Master of Science in Education from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Throughout her years of ministry, Sister Bernadette taught the elementary classes in parish schools in Clymer, Emmaus, Hellertown, Erie, Russellton, Reading, and Canonsburg in Pennsylvania, and Clifton, Phillipsburg, Boonton, and Guttenberg in New Jersey. She was also a principal for 13 years in schools in Russellton, Ellsworth, and Canonsburg. From 1992 until 2003 Sister Bernadette ministered in the congregation’s mission school in Barberton, South Africa as the director of their preschool. She also prepared the children for First Holy Communion. On Sundays she conducted Communion Services in the native Zulu language at a church attended by the workers of the gold mine and their families. When she returned to Pittsburgh, she spent a few years at the Motherhouse at Mount Assisi Convent. From 2005 until the present she ministered at SS. Peter & Paul School in Tucson AZ as the school’s registrar.

Sister Bernadette was a fun loving person who enjoyed spending time and playing Scrabble and Quiddler with her twin sister, Sister Rosalia Giba, also a School Sister of St. Francis. She delighted in teaching the children in the primary grades which was her specialty.

Sister Bernadette was the daughter of the late John Joseph and Julia (Poruba) Giba. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Sister Barbara and Mrs. Theresa Pappert, and her brother, Paul. She is survived by her religious community, her sisters, Sister M. Rosalia Giba, and Mary Giba, who resides in Sebring FL, and her brother, Anthony from Northside, Pittsburgh PA. She is also survived by her nephew, David, and his wife, Lisa, a great niece, Jennifer Foor, and a great, great nephew, Tyler Foor, Fort Hood TX. She will be missed also by the faculty, parents and children of SS. Peter and Paul School in Tucson AZ where she ministered.

The viewing will be from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Mount Assisi Convent on Sunday, January 17. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 18, in Queen of Angels Chapel, Mount Assisi Convent in Pittsburgh PA.