SISTER GERRIE NAUGHTON
PHARR - Sister Gerrie Naughton, RSM, 67, died Thursday, October 29, 2009 at Comfort House in McAllen.
Sister Gerrie, born Catherine Naughton of County Roscommon, Ireland, was the daughter of Patrick and Mary Naughton. A Sister of Mercy for fifty years, and well known as an educator of young women and adults. Gerrie's initial years of ministry were in the state of Mississippi in the towns of Biloxi, Meridian, and Hattiesburg. Over twenty years ago, Gerrie came to the Rio Grande Valley where she founded ARISE, a community development project to serve the needs of new immigrants, especially women and children. Today ARISE has four centers. Its presidents include: Vicky Santana - Support Center; Lourdes Flores - Colonia South Tower; Andrea Landeros - Colonia Muniz; and, Andrea Olvera - Colonia Las Milpas. Gerrie was a wonderful and much loved Sister of Mercy whose life was totally dedicated to the poor, to the education and empowerment of women, and justice for immigrants. She loved and respected the Mexican and Mexican-American cultures, The Rio Grande Valley truly became her home.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Patrick and Mary Naughton.
Sister Gerrie is survived by her religious community - the Sisters of Mercy; four brothers, Joe Naughton of Waterford, Ireland, Tom (Eileen) Naughton and Sean (Ann) Naughton, both of Roscommon, Ireland and Gerard (Julie) Naughton of Kildar, Ireland; a sister, Mary Doheny of Roscommon, Ireland; nieces, Helen and Suzanne Doheny; nephew, Richard Doheny and other nieces and nephews; the families and staff of ARISE; her close family friends, Virginia Santana and Fabio Angell, both of Pharr; and her special "grandchildren", Noah and Magea.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to ARISE, P.O. Box 778, Alamo, Texas, 78516.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary, today, November 1, 2009 at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2009 at Parroquia Francisca Xavier Cabrini in Pharr. Interment will follow at San Juan Cemetery.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.