Sister Geraldine Ann Kasper

August 20, 1937 - February 9, 2020

Sister Geraldine Ann Kasper, formerly Sister Hyacinth, died on February 9, 2020, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa. She was 82 and in her 64th year of religious life.

Geraldine Ann was born to John and Anna (Golitko) Kasper on August 20, 1937, in McKees Rocks, Pa. She was the eldest of three children, followed by her brother John and sister Carol. Her father worked as a machinist, and her mother was a devoted wife and mother. Her parents were Slovak and devout Catholics. Geraldine Ann’s early years in education were spent at St. Mark Catholic School in McKees Rocks, before going on to attend secondary school at Mount Assisi Academy in Pittsburgh.

Sister entered the community from St. Mark Parish in McKees Rocks, Pa., in 1955 and professed her first vows in 1956 at Mount Assisi Convent Chapel in Pittsburgh, Pa. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Mount Mercy College (Carlow University) in Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in theological studies from the Oblate College of the Southwest (Oblate School of Theology) in San Antonio, Texas.

Throughout 57 years of active ministry, Sister Geraldine Ann taught the elementary grades in various schools in the Pennsylvania towns of Ellsworth, Farrell, Clymer, Perrypolis, Erie, Tarentum and Canonsburg. She also taught elementary school and at St. Francis Academy in San Antonio, Texas. Later, Sister served as a pastoral minister and director of religious education at several Pennsylvania churches. Her last years were spent as a faithful participant in prayer ministry at Mt. Assisi Place.

Sister’s favorite TV shows were Monk and CSI, and she loved to read biographical and historical books and novels. She enjoyed reading, doing crafts, shopping, watching a good movie and visiting with family, her religious community sisters and friends. She also thoroughly enjoyed relaxing days and days of solitude. In her later years, she loved to color adult coloring books and often colored postcard-size pictures with scripture quotes and gave them to sisters and others. 

At her wake service, Gerry was remembered as a Godmother who loved the joy of children, was never angry and knew how to not only be a sister, but also a friend. She was a beloved cousin, a soul partner and a companion on the journey, hopefully praying for those she left behind.

One sister shared this statement which sums up Gerry’s life: “The serenity of her spirit emanated from her and had a calming effect on others. It was clearly evident that she lived with a consciousness of the abiding life of God within her. Her gentle and peaceful spirit will be a lasting memory of her life.”

Sister was preceded in death by her parents, John and Anna (Golitka) Kasper. She is survived by her religious community, her brother John, sister Carol Pachuta, and many nieces and nephews.

Sister Geraldine Ann is buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa.