Sister M. Germaine Raskovsky

May 4, 1917 - February 10, 2009

Sister Germaine (Mary Anita) Raskovsky died on February 10, 2009, in Pittsburgh, Pa., She was 91 and in her 75th year of religious life.  

Born on May 4, 1917, in Ambridge, Pa.,  she attended the parish school of Divine Redeemer and first met our sisters, whom she loved very much. She always remembered the affection and kindness of her first grade teacher, Sister Clementine Rostas, and was determined to be like her, both as a sister and a teacher. 

Mary answered the call to become a School Sister of St. Francis and entered Mount Assisi Convent as an aspirant in 1931, where she attended Mount Assisi Academy.  On August 6, 1933, Mary was received into the novitiate and received the name Sister Germaine. The following year she professed her first vows on August 7 and began fulfilling her dream of becoming a teacher.  She taught the primary grades at St. Mark School in McKees Rocks, Pa., where she ministered until her final commitment on August 7, 1940.  

Sister held a bachelor’s degree in education from Villa Maria College in Erie, Pa., and a master’s degree in education and administration from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa. Sister Germaine spent the first 17 years of her teaching ministry in the grade schools at Slovak parishes in McKees Rocks, Pa,; Charleroi, Pa.; Jersey City, N.J.; and Erie, Pa. She remained a teacher for most of her religious life.

In 1952, Sister Germaine was asked to serve at our mission in Chile, South America, where she taught for three years at St. Clara School in Talca. Not knowing the language, she was fortunate to have a student who understood some English, and it was through this little girl that she taught her classes. With only a tiny potbelly stove in the classroom, Sister Germaine suffered terribly through the bitter cold winters. 

She returned to the United States in 1955 to teach in the Pennsylvania towns of Tarentum, New Castle, Barnesboro, Clymer and Erie. She also served as principal of the schools and local minister in the convents. From 1967 to 1970, Sister Germaine taught junior high math and reading in Farrell, Pa., and Canonsburg, Pa. 

From 1970 to 1971, she served as principal and CCD teacher at St. Joseph School in San Antonio, Texas. She then returned to teach at various schools in Pennsylvania. From 1985 to 1992, Sister Germaine again ministered in San Antonio as director of religious education for the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, as a teacher for St. Joseph School, and as a librarian and reading teacher at St. Francis Academy.

When she returned from San Antonio, she spent a year as a driver for the sisters before coming to Mount Assisi Convent. Not yet ready to retire, Sister took classes at Community College of Allegheny County, earned 40 hours in senior companion orientation, and was active with the Community Service Northview Heights Learning Lab and Senior Citizen Companion Program until 2003. During those years she traveled by public transportation to Sharpsburg, Pa., fulfilling her ministry to the elderly and to the children she tutored.

Despite a painful arthritic condition that eventually confined her to a wheelchair, Sister Germaine managed to remain active in prayer and to tutor a few students from Mount Assisi Academy Preschool. She will be remembered for the inspiration she gave to others, especially during her senior years, and also for her willingness to do whatever she could to make a difference in people’s lives. She was always kind and gentle in her ways and accepted others for who they were. Her life of prayer was an example to all of our sisters.

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