Entered into Eternal Life
Sister Gertrud Furger
from Vals, Graubünden, born on 30 November 1936, professed on 25 August 1960
Superior General from 1978 to 1996
She died on 27 December 2023 in St. Josef old age home.
Sister Gertrud, baptized as Ines Maria, was born in Muri near Bern in Novem-ber 1936 as the second of three children of her parents Fridolin and Gertrud Furger. She had a happy childhood and youth. Even as a young girl, Ines Maria felt the desire to go to missions as a religious. However, a good education was important for her parents beforehand. After graduating from high school, Ines Maria obtained an English language diploma in Cambridge, England.
She joined our congregation at the age of 22 and celebrated her first profession as Sister Gertrud in 1960. She then studied “Allgemeine Pädagogik” at the Uni-versity of Fribourg. In 1963, her wish came true: she was sent to Taiwan as a missionary. Within a very short time, she learnt to speak and write Chinese. In 1972, she was appointed mission superior and worked with dedication for both the sisters and the people entrusted to her care. As she was appointed General Councilor in 1975, she had to return to the Motherhouse with a heavy heart. Until her death, she remained deeply attached to the people of her second home, Taiwan.
In 1978, the General Chapter elected Sister Gertrud as Superior General. For 18 years, she managed the affairs of the congregation with prudence and care. A central concern for her was encouraging unity in diversity and diversity in unity in our worldwide congregation. She knew how to empathize with the dif-ferent cultures and living environments of our fellow sisters. Her multilingualism, her ability to listen and her deep faith helped her to support and promote the Provinces and Vicariates for the future in their sometimes difficult political and social situations.
From 1996 to 2010, Sister Gertrud represented the congregation as Procurator General in the Vatican and was also the local superior in our international house in Rome. After her return to the Motherhouse in 2010, she took on vari-ous secretarial tasks and maintained contact with many sisters around the world. Due to increasing health problems, she was moved to the St. Josef nurs-ing home in 2020, where she was called to eternal life on 27 December 2023.
Sister Gertrud will be remembered as a kind and grateful Fellow Sister. With her and for her, we thank God who gave her to our congregation.
Funeral service
Funeral on Friday, 19 January 2024 at 2.00 pm at the convent cemetery. Fol-lowed by Holy Eucharist in the convent church. From 1.30 pm to 1.55 pm there will be an opportunity to say farewell at the cemetery. Please register for the participation in the funeral service.