A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Germaine Catlin, D.C., was celebrated Jan. 10, 2013 at the DePaul House Chapel in Albany, N.Y. Burial followed at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, N.Y. Sister Germaine died Jan. 6, 2013, at 100 years of age at the Daughters of Charity senior care residence, St. Louise House, in Albany, N.Y. In April of 2012, she celebrated 82 years vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Born in Troy, N.Y., on February 20, 1912, Sister Germaine was the daughter of Emmet and Rose (Harkins) Catlin. She was one of five children (two brothers and two sisters). Sister was named Rosemary Catlin at birth. After graduating from Catholic High School in Troy, she entered the Daughters of Charity in 1930 in Baltimore, Md.
Sister Germaine’s first mission was at St. Joseph’s Orphan Asylum in Philadelphia, Pa. Children for whom she cared kept in contact with Sister Germaine throughout their lives. After their deaths, Sister heard from the children of those she had served. She next taught in elementary schools in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Md., Wilmington, Del. (where she served at St. Peter’s School from 1946 to 1960), Boston, Mass., and Albany, N.Y.
Sister Germaine was an “ordinary” woman with an “extraordinary” vision for reaching out in service. Nowhere was this more evident than at St. Peter’s Cathedral Parish in Wilmington, Del. There, she first touched the lives of numerous boys and girls when she taught third grade in the parish’s school. Leaving third grade behind, Sister Germaine became the Director of St. Peter’s Cathedral Adult Center. She served there from 1972 to 1995. In total, she ministered 37 years at St. Peter’s in Wilmington. Sister Germaine was sometimes referred to as the “Cornerstone of St. Peter’s” because she provided foundational needs to so many. With Sister’s bright twinkling blue eyes and welcoming presence, it is no wonder she held two keys to the City of Wilmington! One was awarded on her 60th Jubilee as a Daughter of Charity. She was also honored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews for her outstanding accomplishments. She moved to St. Louise House in Albany, N.Y., in 1995.
Sister Germaine earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, Md., and her master’s degree from Boston College.
Sister Germaine’s survivors include Jack and Jim Geary both of Greenbush, N.Y; Peggy Roberts from Virginia; Eleanor Barna from South Carolina; Jerry Geary from Maryland; Jim Catlin and Mary Donnely from New York; many nieces and nephews; her dear friend Cheryl Seymour who always visited Sister and brought her baked goods; and her Sisters in Community.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Daughters of Charity, Province of St. Louise, and 4330 Olive Street, St. Louis, Mo., 63108.