SINSINAWA, Wis. — Dominican Sister Florence Gavin died Dec. 8, 2020, at St. Dominic Villa in Hazel Green, Wis. Her religious name was Sister Petra.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Dominican motherhouse in Sinsinawa on Dec. 18, 2020, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Florence made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa on Aug. 5, 1950, and her perpetual profession on Aug. 5, 1953. She taught for 30 years and served as director of religious education for four years, nurse aid for two years, and pastoral care person for seven years. Sister Florence guided people who wanted to grow in their spiritual lives for five years. She was generous to all in her gentle attention to God’s path as each life unfolded in her presence.
In the Diocese of Charlotte, Sister Florence guided people in their spiritual lives at St. Jude Parish in Sapphire Valley and Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in Highlands from 1990-1991.
Besides North Carolina, Sister Florence served in Illinois, the District of Columbia, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, California, Iowa, Alabama, South Carolina, Hawaii and Tennessee, as well as Cochabamba, Bolivia.
She was born May 13, 1929, in Lake Geneva, Wis., the daughter of Paul and Blanche (Robinson) Gavin.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Helena Gavin; and four brothers, Robert Gavin, G. Thomas Gavin, Paul Gavin and A. Peter Gavin.
She is survived by nieces, nephews and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 70 years of religious life.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or at www.sinsinawa.org/donate online.
A repeat broadcast of the funeral for Sister Florence is available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live. Click on the “on demand” tab.
— Catholic News Herald