Obituaries

Sister Monica DiSabella

Sister Monica DiSabella, a member of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, Villa Rossello, Newfield, who taught in Vineland and Millville, died Saturday, Aug. 25, at Misercordia Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in York, Pa.

Born in Hazleton, Pa., Siser Monica was the daughter of the late Vincent and Euphemia (Cusatis) DiSabella.

She entered the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy in York, Pa. on Dec. 26, 1947, and professed her vows on Aug. 16, 1949.

She served at St. Mary School, East Vineland (1975-80), St. Francis School, Vineland (1965-66, 1973-75), and St. Mary Magdalen, Millville (1962-63, 1981-82).

At the end of her active ministry, in 2000, she was sent to the order’s retirement home, first doing volunteer service, until she became a resident of the Misericordia Nursing Center in 2005.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Joseph, Carmen, Peter, Nicholas, James and Brother Antonine, O.Carm. DiSabella, and sisters Dolores Mylet, Marie Paul, and Carolyn Leonard.

She is survived by her religious community, the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy; sister-in-law, Shirley DiSabella of Milford, Conn., and Rose DiSabella of Hazleton, Pa., and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Aug. 29, at Villa Rossello Chapel, Newfield, followed by burial at Pieta Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Daughters of Mercy, Villa Rossello, 1009 Main Road, Newfield, NJ 08344.

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Sister Gabrielle Gattone

Sister Gabrielle Gattone, a member of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, Villa Rossello, Newfield, died in Camden on Aug. 4, at the age of 84.

Born in Philadelphia, Sister Gabrielle was the daughter of the late Agostino and Rosa A. Gerace Gattone. She entered the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy in Newfield in 1951, and professed her vows on Aug. 17, 1953.

She taught at St. Rose of Lima School, Newfield (1964-66, 1976-77), St. Mary Magdalen, Millville (1972-76, 1978-79, 1981-84), St. Francis School (1979-81), and St. Mary School, Vineland and Our Lady of Mercy Academy (1985-90).

In recent years, she served as coordinator of religious education at St. Mary Parish and also at St. Padre Pio Parish in Vineland.

Sister Gabrielle is survived by members of her religious community; her sister May Onishchuk of Grand Island, Fla.; her brother-in-law, Robert Martin of Fort Worth, Texas; her sister-in-law Rose Marie Gattone of Red Hill, Pa.; nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Aug. 14 at Villa Rossello Chapel, Newfield, and burial followed at Pieta Cemetery on the grounds of Villa Rossello. Memorial contributions may be made to the Daughters of Mercy, Villa Rossello, 1009 Main Road, Newfield, NJ 08344.

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Sister Mary Valerian Kelty

Sister Mary Valerian Kelty, Sister of Mercy, 89, who ministered in Catholic schools in the Diocese of Camden, died Aug. 24.

She was born in Trenton to John and Madeline (Evans) Kelty.

Entering the Sisters of Mercy in 1940, she received her habit and name, Sister Mary Valerian, in 1941, and was perpetually professed as a Sister of Mercy in 1946.

Ministering as a teacher in the Trenton, Camden and Metuchen dioceses was her joy, and in the Camden Diocese, she served students at Camden Catholic High School, Camden (1946-47); St. Nicholas, Atlantic City (1947-51); and Holy Spirit High School, Absecon (1978-89).

In retirement, she extended her mission as volunteer to Mount Saint Mary Academy, Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer, the Regional Community of New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic Community of the Sisters of Mercy.

Sister Valerian is survived by her sister Eileen Harney of Trenton, NJ, Thomas Kelty of New York, and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on August 29 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung, followed by burial in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ.

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Sister Elizabeth Garvey

Sister Elizabeth Garvey, RSM, Sister of Mercy died Aug. 27, at the age of 82 at Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark.

For 28 years she served as teacher or principal in the dioceses of Camden (at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Atlantic City), Metuchen and Trenton as well as in Portland, Maine. Perhaps her greatest joy came in the last 31 years working with senior citizens as the director of the Bayshore Senior Day Center, Keansburg, N.J., and living with her sisters in Mercy at Saint Ann’s Convent.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Aug. 30 at St. Ann Church in Keansburg, N.J. Interment at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Cutchogue, Long Island.

Sister Elizabeth (the Former Sister Mary Andre) is survived by her sister Alice Gallivan (spouse George) of Texas, her brother Charles (wife Eileen) of Florida and many beloved nieces and nephews and their children.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, 1645 U.S. Hwy #22, Watchung, NJ 07069 and/or to the Bayshore Senior Day Center, 100 Main Street, Keansburg, NJ 07734.