Sister Mary deLourdes (Gladys) Muench, RDC, a member of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, died on March 30, 2005 at St. Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Sister was born in Milford, New York the daughter of Albert and Alma (Cannon) Muench. Sister Mary deLourdes entered the Sisters of the Divine Compassion on February 2, 1928 and made her final profession on January 4, 1936. She received a B.A. degree in English from Good Counsel College and the M.A. in English from Fordham University. Sister was awarded an NDEA Grant to study French at L'Institut Catholique in Paris and continued her study in the U.S. until she was licensed to teach French in secondary schools by the New York State Education Department in 1930.
Her musical talents were rewarded by a scholarship in Organ Music at Nazareth College, Rochester in 1952 and further study at Pius X School of Music at Manhattanville College, Purchase. In 1969 she received a grant from the Wall Street Journal to study journalism at Savannah State College where she was awarded the Leadership Award for her work. She utilized her journalistic skills as advisor to the Good Counsel Academy High School Yearbook for 25 years. Her talents in writing and music were given freely to many causes and her interests created a wide circle of friends. Sister M. deLourdes was organist for 26 years in the Chapel of the Divine Compassion at Good Counsel. Sr. Mary deLourdes began her teaching career at Good Counsel Academy Elementary School in 1929. In 1933-34 she taught at St. Bernard's School in White Plains and in the fall of 1934 she was appointed to Good Counsel Academy High School where she served until 1972.
After her retirement, she tutored in Reading, French and English at every level of proficiency to children and adults. A person of great personal energy and wide concerns, she had a long list of publications that reflect her diversity of interests. Sister Alice Feeley, President of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion said, "An exceptionally gifted woman, Sr. Mary deLourdes shared her many talents generously with her students and community." Sister Mary deLourdes is survived by her religious Sisters of the Divine Compassion, her sister, Eileen Simon of Cheektowaga, NY, several nieces and nephews and many devoted friends.
