OBITUARY

Sister Mary Gehring, O.C.D.

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BARRINGTON — Sister Mary Gehring, O.C.D., passed into eternal life on May 16, 2021, at the Dawn Hill Home (formerly St. Elizabeth’s Manor) in Bristol. Sister Mary was born on March 23, 1932, in Baltimore, MD. She was the daughter of John William Gehring, Sr., and Dorothea (O’Brien) Gehring. Baptized Elizabeth Ann Gehring, she was known as Phoebe to her family. As a Carmelite, she was Sister Mary of the Incarnation.
She graduated from Mount St. Agnes High School in 1949. She graduated from Union Memorial Hospital School of Nursing as an RN in 1952.
Sister Mary entered the Carmelite community on November 15, 1952, and she made her first holy profession on May 24, 1954. Her perpetual profession was on May 24, 1957.
She was instrumental in establishing the Association of Contemplative Sisters (ACS) in 1969, and she served as ACS President.
At Carmel she served in roles as Prioress, Councillor and Advisor to the Secular Order for 17 years. Sister Mary offered many people spiritual direction, taught formation classes, and she served on the Diocesan Sisters’ Senate.
Sister Mary is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Dorothea Yursik, John William (Bill) Gehring Jr., and James D. Gehring.
A memorial Mass was celebrated at St. Luke’s Church in Barrington on Thursday, May 20, with burial in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Carmelite Sisters, 370 Hemenway St., Apt. 416, Marlborough, Mass., 07152-6602 or to the Alzheimer’s Association of RI, 245 Waterman Avenue, Suite 306, Providence, RI 02911-1043, which will be greatly appreciated.