A funeral Mass for Sister Mary Gemma Robinson, SSpSAp, was to be celebrated Dec. 5 at the chapel of Mount Grace Convent in St. Louis. Sister Mary Gemma, of the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters (“Pink Sisters”), died Dec. 2. She was 91.
Sister Mary Gemma, formerly Jean Ann Robinson, was born in St. Louis on July 9, 1933, to Scott and Hazel (Levine) Robinson. She grew up just down the street from her future home of Mount Grace Convent. She entered the convent in 1951, made her first profession of vows in 1954 and her final profession in 1959.
At the Adoration Convent of Divine Love in Austin, Texas, she served as First Councilor from 1962-65, then as Sister Superior from 1965-71. She then served as Sister Superior at the Convent of Divine Love in Philadelphia from 1977-86. She served as Sister Superior of Mount Grace Convent from 1971-77, then as First Councilor from 1986-97, then again as Sister Superior from 1997-2009 and later as First Councilor from 2009-17.
Sister Mary Gemma was the organizer of the International Superiors Assembly in St. Louis both in 2000 and 2008. She never took herself too seriously, and she loved to laugh and tell very amusing stories about her past assignments. She was an ardent adorer of the Blessed Sacrament and fervent devotee of the Holy Spirit, and one would find her very often sitting in the back of the chapel, praying silently. She used to pray that she would grow old gracefully, and the Lord heard her prayer. She loved music and would follow every beat of postludes and Sunday Vespers with her clapping hands or tapping feet. The community was so delighted with her antics, and her presence was most welcome at recreation. Sister Mary Gemma will be deeply missed by her sisters in community.
Sister Mary Gemma was preceded in death by her parents. Internment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
