McGovern, Gertrude (Ann Stephen) SC, died peacefully at Caritas Residence in Halifax, NS on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the age of 96. She was born in Admiral Saskatchewan in 1928, the daughter of John and Isabelle (Clifford). She entered the Sisters of Charity-Halifax in 1946 and made her first profession in 1949.
Sister Gertrude began her ministry in housekeeping in 1949, work which took her to Quebec, New York, Halifax, Alberta, and British Columbia. In 1971, in Burnaby BC, Sister Gertrude became the Director of Catechetics, and in 1975, the Coordinator of Lay Ministries and Adult Education. In 1981, Sister began work at the Seton House of Prayer in Summerland BC, work she dearly loved. During her time there, she earned her certificate in Retreats and Pastoral Ministry from Notre Dame, Indiana, and her certificate in Active Spirituality for a Global Community from Mount St. Joseph in Ohio. In 1987, she was missioned to Bathurst, New Brunswick as a diocesan Pastoral Coordinator before returning to BC in 1991 as the Director at Seton House of Prayer, which had then moved from Summerland to Kelowna.
Sister Gertrude’s ministry at the Seton House of Prayer was where she found her deepest calling. Surrounded by 160 acres of wooded land and mountains, her love for creation, coupled with her special gift of hospitality allowed her to welcome thousands of people seeking deeper peace and spiritual renewal at the House of Prayer. Sister Gertrude truly loved her prayer ministry and retreat work. She was open and welcoming to others and readily shared of herself. A woman of prayer, she firmly believed in its power to bring peace, a cause to which she was strongly committed. She had a profound satisfaction in journeying with others in their faith development through spiritual direction and retreat ministry.
Despite Sister Gert’s long and trying health issues into her final days, she courageously accepted suffering. During this difficult period of her life, she continued to lead prayer in her community at Caritas Residence. Her faith was an inspiration to countless others. May she now rest in the peace she always knew awaited her. Sister Gertrude died surrounded by the love and care of Sisters as was her wish.
In addition to her parents, Sister Gertrude is predeceased by her sisters Winnifred (Koeller), Lucille (Moss), Kathleen (Denegrie), Patricia (McCann) and brothers Joseph, John, Donald and Vernon. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Beverly McGovern and Margaret McGovern, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
All services will be held at the Immaculate Conception Chapel, Caritas Residence, 215 Seton Road, Halifax. Seating is limited. A Welcoming and Vigil service will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 2:00pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 10:00am.
The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/event/5218422/2950518055
Burial will take place in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville, immediately following the Funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Charity.