Sr. Julia Gardlik

Sister Julia Gardlik, a Sister of Our Lady of Charity, died peacefully Sunday afternoon at the age of 97. Sister Julia was born June 21, 1916 in Homestead, PA. Sister was the eldest of nine children born to the late Joseph Contos and Julia (Merkovsky) Gardlik. Sister Julia graduated from Aliquippa (Pa.) High School and the Knights of Columbus Normal School, Pittsburgh, PA, with a secretarial certificate. During WWII, Sister Julia was a Director of the NCCS-USO Club in Miami, FL, providing services to the military men and women. She was also active with the American Red Cross in Florida and in Pennsylvania. She entered the convent at Erie, Pennsylvania in 1951 and was a faithful member of the Congregation for 62 years. Sister Julia ministered to troubled teenage girls at Gannondale in Erie, PA as a religion teacher and served as a mentor to the young women for many years. She was also sacristan and receptionist for the community. She touched many with her warmth, graciousness and kindness. As her own distinctive ministry, she visited the sick and comforted their families in hospitals and rehabilitation units in Erie each week for many years. As her health failed, she came to the Carrollton Community and continued her life of outreach among her community sisters. Sister was preceded in death by her brother, George; her sisters, Cecilia Paczak and Margaret Gardlik; sisters-in-law, Nancy Suppler Gardlik and Irene V. Gardlik; and brothers-in-law, Michael Tucker and William Paczak. Along with her Province sisters, she is survived by her brothers, Edward of Butler, IN, Thomas of North Wales, PA, Robert of Monaca, PA; and sisters, Katherine Gardlik and Frances Tucker all of Aliquippa, PA. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Immaculate Heart Chapel of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity in Carrollton, OH, with Rev. Anthony Batt officiating. Visitation will be held at the convent Wednesday, July 17, 2013 from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment will be at the Cemetery on the convent grounds. Memorial contributions may be made to the Education Fund of North American Union Sisters of Our Lady of Charity, P.O. Box 158, Carrollton, OH 44615-0158. The arrangements are under the care of Sweeney-Dodds Funeral Home of Carrollton.

Sr. Julia Gardlik

June 21, 1916 - July 14, 2013