Our 2025 Jubilarians

Written on: July 14, 2025

Congratulations to our Grey Nun Sisters who are celebrating their Jubilee this year. We rejoice in the faithfulness of these seven Sisters, to the dedicated living of their vows, and in the unfailing fidelity of our God to each of them!

Sister Anne Boyer, 75th Jubilee

Sister Anne Boyer is a North Country girl, fortunate to have been born and raised in Ogdensburg, New York, as one of ten children in her family. She was also fortunate that the Grey Nuns have always been a part of her life: the Grey Nuns of Ottawa taught her in grade school, and the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart taught her in high school.

Sister Mary Joan Elias, 75th Jubilee

Raised in Buffalo, NY, Sister Mary Joan Elias was educated entirely by the Grey Nuns, whose mission inspired her from an early age. “I loved the Grey Nuns before I entered, and I still love them,” she shares. Her life’s work unfolded in education, where she dedicated 52 years—21 as a teacher and the remainder in administration.

Sister Mary Finnick, 75th Jubilee

Celebrating her 75th jubilee as a Grey Nun, Sister Mary Finnick has lived a life that is a testament to her deep faith and an enduring sense of wonder. “I think my curiosity and willingness to try something new allowed me to have a fulfilling life as a Grey Nun,” she says. That adventurous spirit carried her across continents, ministries, and through natural disasters.

Sister Mary Karen Kelly, 70th Jubilee

Sister Mary Karen Kelly, who is celebrating 70 years as a Grey Nun, is a native of Philadelphia. She first met the Grey Nuns at Little Flower High School. She has traveled far and wide in her ministry of education, both at the elementary and the college level. Her studies in Spanish and later in bilingual/bicultural education equipped her for her years as a teacher at Parroquia San Norberto in Lima, Peru and at St. Edward’s Parish in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Sister Cecelia Cosgrove, 60th Jubilee

Sister Cecelia Cosgrove (Sister Ann Christopher), one of nine children of Edward and Margaret Cosgrove, met the Grey Nuns at D’Youville College in Buffalo, New York. She learned from her father how to ‘fix things’ around the house and has been an asset to whatever convent or house where she has lived. She began her ministry in education as did most Grey Nuns, spending time in Atlanta and at Bishop McDevitt High School and at Grey Nun Academy in the Philadelphia area before beginning studies in mental health counseling at St. Paul University, Ottawa.

Sister Elizabeth Dawn Gear, 60th Jubilee

Sister Elizabeth Dawn Gear was raised in a Byzantine Catholic family of five children. This early cultural and religious upbringing instilled in her a tremendous love for St. Nicholas, whom she celebrated at every opportunity. She explains it very simply: “Everybody loves this holiday (Advent and Christmas season) and focusing on the St. Nicholas tradition of gift-giving reminds us to be generous to others every day.”

Sister Mary Salvadore, 60th Jubilee

Sister Mary Salvadore grew up in Mahanoy City, PA and first met the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart at St. Canicus Elementary School. After graduating from Immaculate Heart Academy, Sister Mary was impacted by the kindness and dedication of the Grey Nuns and felt called to join their mission at a young age. “I wanted to make the world a better place,” she recalls, “and I was very impressed by the Sisters. They inspired me to want to do something good with my life.”

This entry was posted in Matters of Faith