Sister Bertrand O'Sullivan

Obituary Sister M. Bertrand (Margaret) O'Sullivan born in Seattle, December 3, 1918 died at St. Joseph Residence in Seattle, September 23, 2009. Her parents Martin and Mary Rollinger O'Sullivan preceded her in death as did her brothers Martin, Edward and Joseph and her sisters Sister M. Aquinata and Sister Mary (Alphonsa). She is survived by her sister Patricia Patterson of Hemet, CA; sisters-in-law Mable O'Sullivan (Martin), Lois O'Sullivan (Joe), and Marlys O'Sullivan (Gene); Sister Anne Heger, OP and numerous other cousins, nieces and nephews. Sister Bertrand entered the Dominican Sisters of Tacoma in 1939, shortly after graduating from Aquinas Academy. She received the habit in 1940 and professed her final vows in 1944. She received a BA from Central Washington State College and a BA in Theology from Xavier College in Chicago. Her 32 plus years of teaching included schools staffed by the Dominican Sisters in Bellingham, Seattle, Ellensburg, Tacoma, WA and in Bakersfield, San Jacinto and San Diego CA. Sister loved teaching the middle grades especially the sixth. In addition to her classroom teaching, she served at St. James Cathedral, Seattle; Marymount Military Academy, Tacoma; Boys' Town of the Desert, Banning CA and Patton State Hospital, Patton CA. She worked at St. Mary's Rectory in Helena Montana for 10 years and she and her sister, Sister M. Aquinata taught in Les Keyes, Haiti for three years. When she and her sister returned from Haiti, she worked tirelessly to obtain donations for those in need in Haiti. Had health permitted, she would have remained in Haiti for the duration of her life. Sister was an accomplished artist particularly in wood work. She carved the Stations for Dominican House of Study in Issaquah and enjoyed whittling small fishes which she would give to her many friends. During her teaching and retirement years she enjoyed making rosaries especially out of berries she would collect and prepare. Sister Bertrand loved to fish, hunt and spend time outdoors. This was one of the reasons she so loved Montana. Before moving to St. Joseph Residence, she lived at the Franciscan Apartments in Burien and was known to prepare frequent dinners for those who lived there especially the sisters living at the Franciscan. Services for Sister M. Bertrand will be: Vigil Service at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle on Wednesday, September 30, at 7:00 PM. The Liturgy of Resurrection will be at St. Joseph Residence on Thursday, October 1 at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Tacoma on Friday, October 2, at 1:00 PM. Donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 935 Fawcett Ave. S., Tacoma, WA 98402. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, Tacoma.