FALLS CHURCH, VA (03-04-2025) – Sister Judith Gebelein, FSE entered eternal life today at Virginia Hospital in Arlington, following an acute respiratory complication. Her Community of Sisters kept vigil in prayer with her as Sister Judith prepared to be welcomed into her eternal home.
Sister Judith has lived at the FSE Falls Church center since 2006 when the Sisters first began ministering in the Diocese of Arlington at the invitation of the Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde. Prior to being assigned to Falls Church, Sister Judith was a member of the Franciscan center in Lowell, Michigan for 33 years.
Sister Judith began her journey as a Franciscan religious woman in 1965 as she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She professed first vows in 1969. In 1973, she became a founding member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. She and six classmates celebrated their 50th jubilee of vows in 2019.
Sister Judith, daughter of the late Roy and Shirley Gebelein, was born on December 10, 1946, and grew up in Stratford, Wisconsin, the oldest of seven children. As a child, Sister Judith (Judy) contracted polio. The effects of polio remained with her during her life and motivated her to overcome the handicaps imposed on her body from the disease, and to minister to others as a nurse. Sister Judith earned a B.A. degree in sociology from Viterbo College (now University), and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) from Grand Valley State University. From 1970 to 1976, she worked at St. Francis Hospital, La Crosse, Wisconsin; Cherry Creek Nursing Home in Lowell, and Grand Rapids Oncology Group. For 25 years, she was a dedicated full-time nurse at St. Mary Hospital, Grand Rapids. Sister Judith especially liked working with orthopedic patients. With her own challenges from polio, she served as a positive witness of encouragement to her patients. Sister Judith continued her nursing ministry in Virginia when she was missioned to help begin the FSE center in Falls Church. She worked at Inova Fairfax Hospital for 16 years until retiring in 2022 due to health reasons.
Sister Judith was known in the Community as a hard worker, a determined person whose strength of character was admirable to those she served and to her Sisters. A hearty laugh and a sense of humor were trademarks of her personality. She was able to embrace her suffering as a sacred path to greater union with Christ and as an offering for the good of His Church. The Community appreciated her ability to speak frankly when a situation called for clarity, as well as her authentic kindness and understanding. Always a practical person, Sister Judith took a lead in processing, freezing and canning vegetables from the Sisters’ large garden at the Lowell center, tasks for which she was expertly skilled. She served for several years on the Community’s ethics and health care committees. She, with her Sisters, was active in parish outreach activities at St. Philip Church in Falls Church.
Sister Judith was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Larry, Lowell and Duane. She is survived by her sisters, Peggy Axelsen of Janesville, Wisconsin, Diane Strauber and her husband Donald of Neenah, Wisconsin, and Maria Gebelein of Barnesville, Georgia, as well as several nieces and nephews. The family and the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, the Franciscan Brothers of the Eucharist, Franciscan Apprentices, and Sister Judith’s many friends and co-workers mourn her death.
A wake will be held on Friday, March 7 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at Murphy Funeral Homes, 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203. On Saturday, March 8, a time of visitation from 11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. will take place at the convent of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, 7504 St. Philip Court, Falls Church, VA 22042, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 P.M. at St. Philip Church, 7500 St. Philip Court, Falls Church, VA 22042.
Arrangements are in the care of Sister Patricia Glass, FSE, funeral director, and Murphy Funeral Homes.
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