RUMA — Sister Mary Jerome Goeckner, ASC, died Nov. 17 at the Ruma Center. She was 102 years old and had been a professed member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ for 85 years.
Elizabeth Theresia Goeckner, born Dec. 3, 1912 in Bishop Creek (near Effingham), was the oldest of nine children born to William and Rosa (Probst) Goeckner, and one of six daughters in the family to join the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. She made her first profession on July 2, 1930 and her final vows on July 1, 1935.
Sister M. Jerome had her own plans for religious life but at her superior's request, studied to become a nurse at St. Vincent (now Taylorville) Memorial Hospital in Taylorville, where she would serve for more than 20 years. She ministered there as a nurse and nurse supervisor, and as hospital administrator at both the old and new hospital, completed in 1954, which she helped plan.
It was the first of three ASC-sponsored hospitals in the former Ruma Province where she would serve as administrator and help build new facilities. The others were St. Joseph Memorial Hospital (formerly St. Andrew's) in Murphysboro, and St. Clement (now Red Bud Regional) in Red Bud.
She later served as charge nurse for the care of older sisters at Clementine Residence in Red Bud, and as nurse at St. Ann Home in Chester.
She was a member of the American College of Hospital Administrators and was elected to the National Register of Prominent Americans.
Sister M. Jerome worked 10 years at the Ruma Center as treasurer, nurse and prayer group leader, before retiring. She did needlework and quilting even after her 100th birthday.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmothers, Clara Willenborg and Elizabeth Koester; stepsister Virginia Koester; brothers William, Alphonse and Norbert (Eleanor) Goeckner; and three sisters, all members of the ASC community, Sister Mary William, Sister Martha and Sister Adella Goeckner.
Sister M. Jerome is survived by her siblings, Sister Laura Goeckner, ASC, and Sister Emma Goeckner, ASC; one cousin, Sister Jacinta Willenborg, ASC; many nieces, nephews and sister Adorers throughout the U. S. Region.
A funeral Mass for Sister Mary Jerome was celebrated Nov. 21, with Msgr. Dan Jurek presiding. Burial was in the Ruma Center cemetery.
Memorials in her honor may be sent to the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, U.S. Region, Mission Center, 4233 Sulphur Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63109 or made online at www.adorers.org.