A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Martha Ann Gilman, D.C., was celebrated Feb. 16, 2013, at the DePaul House Chapel in Albany, N.Y. Burial followed at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, N.Y.
Sister Margaret Ann died in her sleep Feb. 9, 2013 at 82 years of age at the Daughters of Charity senior care residence, St. Louise House, in Albany, N.Y. In December of 2012, she celebrated 60 years vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Born in Malden, Mass., on July 29, 1930, Sister Martha Ann was the daughter of John and Philomene (Gradie) Gilman. She was one of four children; she had two sisters, Philomene and Barbara, and one brother, John (Jack).
After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y., in 1952, Sister Martha Ann entered the Community of the Daughters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Md., in December of 1952. Sister Martha Ann taught math in secondary schools—Immaculate Conception Academy in Washington, D.C. (1954 – 1957); and Seton Catholic High School in Endicott, N.Y. (1957 – 1961). Sister earned her Master of Arts degree in mathematics in 1961 from The Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and her Ph.D., in mathematics in 1967 from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Mo.
In 1966, Sister Martha Ann began teaching as assistant professor of mathematics at St. Joseph College, Emmitsburg, Md., where she served until 1973. From 1973 to 1991, she taught a variety of mathematic courses and then concentrated on computer science at Niagara University, Niagara Falls, N.Y., after attending New York University’s Courant Institute as a visiting scholar on sabbatical. She served as professor and chair of computer and information sciences from 1981 to 1991 at Niagara University.
Sister Martha Ann took early retirement in 1991 and returned to the Boston, Mass., area (1991 – 2006) where she served in a variety of part-time and per diem positions to enhance computer systems, knowledge and efficiency of not-for-profit organizations and did consultant work for several hospitals. Sister then joined the DePaul House Community in Albany, N.Y., and continued her work in information services teaching and developing major projects for various departments at Seton Health in Troy, N.Y., and St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam, N.Y.
Sister Martha Ann was elected to many mathematical associations, societies and fraternities. She loved nature. This was evidenced by her love of gardening and her nature photos which she often made into greeting cards to help funds missionaries in Africa.