GLADYS MARHEFKA, SGM

Gladys Marhefka, March 3, 1944 - June 16, 2022, was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Benjamin and Maybell (Brown) Marhefka and made her commitment to God as a Sister of Charity of Montreal, "Grey Nun" in Lexington, MA in 1964. She obtained a Bachelor's Degree in English from Regis College, Weston, MA and the Degree of  Master of Christian Spirituality from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska. Sr. Gladys' constant interest and commitment was a great love and compassion for people of all states of life, particularly the less fortunate and a great desire to serve them in whatever way she could.  Sr. Gladys served as a CCD teacher at Hanscom Field Base, Bedford, MA, and at St. Brigid Parish, Lexington, MA as well as a Grades 7, 8 or 9 teacher in the North End, Boston, MA and Cambridge, MA. She was Office Coordinator for WAND (Women's Action for Nuclear Disarmament), Arlington, MA, for some 5 years, totally enjoying working for this great cause. Her dream of being a missionary came to reality when she was sent to St. Michael's Indian Mission in North Dakota.  She loved the people there and was impressed by their strong family bonds, love for nature and their simple way of living. After four years there, she had a year as Pastoral Associate in the Catholic Community of Blackstone, Virginia and later became a staff person at Shelter Incorporated, Cambridge, MA. She also served several mandates as Local Superior in different residences of the Grey Nuns. In 1980, Sr. Gladys began the ministry she maintained until the end of her life, that of Social Justice and Ecology.  In the 90's Sr. Gladys was on the Boston Sisters Senate, at times serving on their administrative Team. She was a member of the Lexington Global Warming Action Coalition. For many years Sr. Gladys was the Director of Transportation for the Grey Nuns with much commitment and graciousness to all who needed her services. Another cherished ministry of Sr. Gladys was spiritual direction. Her final ministry, in addition to spiritual direction, was corresponding with prisoners, many of whom are on death row, and lobbying for commuted death sentences.  Sr. Gladys was preceded in death by her brothers, Donald and Gerald Marhefka and is survived by her twin brother Glenn Marhefka of Easthampton, MA and several nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life and Visitation Service to be held on July 6, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 at Youville Place Assisted Living, 10 Pelham Road, Lexington, MA and burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, MA.