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Sister Julie Marie Gilmore, SND; October 2, 1934 –May 17, 2022 (Formerly Sister Mary Maurene)

The fourth child of William and Mary Ellen (Duddy) Gilmore, Julie Theresa was born in the family home on East 93rd Street in Cleveland, in the shadow of Notre Dame on Ansel Road. From their parents, emigrants from County Mayo, the children learned the importance of education and the value of hard work, rooted in their strong Catholic faith and Irish culture. “My father was up at 5:00 every morning, ready to go to work; I never heard him complain.” Julie wrote in her autobiography. “My mother was a beautiful person—gentle, calm, very loving, and unselfish.”

After graduation from St. Thomas Aquinas School, Julie attended Notre Dame Academy, Cleveland. Though she had considered religious life, Julie’s future plans were for marriage and a large family. She had also been accepted into St. Alexis School of Nursing. But during a retreat in her senior year, “God made very clear what was wanted of me, and I knew I could do nothing else,” she said. She became a postulant on September 8, 1952, and at investment received the name Sister Mary Maurene. After her profession of vows, her oldest brother told her that witnessing the ceremony confirmed his decision to become a Trappist monk at the Abbey of Gesthemani, KY. Sister Julie always felt blessed by his prayers and her yearly visits with him.

In 1955, Sister Julie began her ministry of education at St. Michael School, Canton, as a 4th grade teacher. A B.S.Ed from St. John College, Cleveland, and a M.A. from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana were the foundation for life-long enrichment and updating. After 8 years as a teacher at St. Vitus, Gesu, St. Stephen, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish schools, Sister Julie was appointed principal of St. Paschal Baylon School in Highland Heights, a new place of ministry for the sisters. “It is amazing what you can do when you are stretched,” she concluded. Over the next 27 years, she was principal at Notre Dame Elementary School, Chardon; St. Margaret Mary, South Euclid; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Austintown; and St. Louis, Cleveland Heights. Her personal and professional qualities made her an excellent administrator. Respect for students, teachers and parents fostered collaboration and participation in the educational process to form a school community that “made the gospel come alive,” as a colleague said.

She spent 11 years as a Regional Superior, sharing her many spiritual gifts with the Sisters. The past 21 years found her volunteering at Metro Catholic School, Cleveland; Notre Dame Skills Lab, Chardon, and UH Geauga Medical Center. She joined the sisters for prayer, meals and activities even as her health declined. In the last week of her life, she especially treasured visits with family members.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center, 13000 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH. It will be live-streamed. Go towww.sndusa.org. Click on the Chardon Regional Center. A Welcoming Home Prayer Service will be at 1:30 (https://boxcast.tv/view/prayer-service-for-sr-julie-marie-gilmore—may-25-2022—130-pm-ndkwt9u7ntfrjgfj6wry) followed by visitation from 2-4:15. 

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