Our dear, sweet Sister Erlinda Gurule went home to the Lord on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
Sister Erlinda was from a large, very close family in Cebolla, New Mexico. She received her call to be a Franciscan Sister at a young age, and loved being a Franciscan Sister of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This year marked her 60th Jubilee.
Sister Erlinda was a gifted teacher, shown by the “Teacher of the Year” and “Outstanding Educator” awards she received as she worked with primary students throughout the country. Her classrooms were in St. Louis, Chicago, Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Colorado. In addition to her special talent for teaching children to read, hundreds will remember her for helping them learn the Sign of the Cross and preparing them for First Communion, while seldom raising her voice.
Sister Erlinda was admired for her saintly spirit — strong, yet gentle — and for never uttering an unkind or judgmental word. Her later years were claimed by Parkinson’s Disease, but she never complained and offered all to Jesus. One of her most endearing characteristics was her wit and her quiet chuckle. Even on her death bed when the Minister General assured her that Jesus would welcome her with open arms, she weakly responded, “You think so?”
A simple burial will be held at this time and a Mass and celebration of her life will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial donations are being accepted by the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help for the Sisters’ Retirement Fund through the donation page on this website, (www.fsolph.org).
Sister Erlinda’s gentle, faithful spirit was a transforming presence in our world. Her Sisters are grateful to have shared life with her and thank the Gurule family for sharing their spirit through her.
