Sister Frances Cusack, OP (Mary Gerard), 89, died peacefully on September 11, in Burien following a brief illness.

Sister Frances was born July 31, 1928 to James and Ellen (Geraghty) Cusack in Newport, County Mayo, Ireland.

Following her profession of vows in January of 1949, Sister Frances, then Mary Gerard, embarked on a ministerial journey that took her from Bellingham to San Diego and as far East as New York with a few years in the Chicago area. She was a teacher in both Catholic Schools and CCD programs as well as parish minister. Her most recent volunteer ministry was at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Burien where she was a Eucharistic Minister and assisted with the hospitality ministry.

Sister Frances was a beloved teacher, keeping in contact with many former students.

Her places of ministry included: Assumption School, Bellingham; Holy Rosary, Assumption and St. Edward, Seattle; Holy Cross and Marymount Military Academy, Tacoma; St. Francis, Bakersfield, CA; Sacred Heart, Palm Desert, CA; Holy Ghost and St. Peter, Greater Chicago, Illinois, Immaculate Conception, San Diego; Christ the Good Shepherd, Adelanto, CA; and Holy Trinity, New York City; St. John, Los Angeles, CA.

From 1997-2001 she resided and ministered to our sisters living at St. Bernadette Convent in Seattle before moving to the Franciscan Apartments in Burien where she lived until her death. She had made plans and was excited to be moving to St. Joseph Residence in West Seattle – a move that never happened.

Long before Pope Francis was elected, Sister Frances was a champion and servant to the poor. She organized food and clothing banks for the poor and homeless in San Diego and Adelanto. For several years, she worked with the homeless in New York City. Rising at 4:00 AM, Sister Frances labored to create a nourishing and sustaining meal for those who were unable to provide for themselves.

During her years living at the Franciscan Apartments in Burien, she was a faithful volunteer for helping with funeral receptions, making sandwiches for the homeless and helping out wherever she could.

The Vigil will be held on Wednesday, September 27, at 6:30 PM at St. Joseph Residence, 4800 37th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 28, at 11:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 15226 21st Ave. SW, Burien, WA. Burial will be on Friday, September 29, at 11:00 AM at Calvary Cemetery, 5212 70th St. W., Tacoma.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 935 Fawcett Ave. Tacoma, WA 98402.

Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home

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