Sister Mary Brendan Gilleran, CSJ

Sister Mary Brendan Gilleran, CSJ, died Monday, Jan.21 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House, Latham. She was 88 had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 69 years. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Jan. 25 in the chapel at the provincial house. 

Born in Albany, Sister Mary Brendan graduated from Vincentian Institute in Albany, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph on March 19, 1950 and professed final vows on August 15, 1957. Sister Mary Brendan received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from The College of Saint Rose and a master’s degree in nursing education from St. John’s University. In addition, she completed a sabbatical program at Instituto de Idiomas Maryknoll in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

For 23 years, she served at St. Mary’s Hospital (St. Mary’s Healthcare), Amsterdam, as staff nurse, instructor, director of nursing service, nursing clinical coordinator and project director of the “new” St. Mary’s Hospital. Upon completion of the hospital, Sister Mary Brendan continued her ministry in health care as administrator of Bethany Center in Boston; supervising home-health nurse for Catholic Family Community Services in Herkimer; and public health nurse for Oneida County. In addition, Sister Mary Brendan served the Sisters of St. Joseph as supervisor of the Sisters’ Infirmary at the Provincial House and as regional superior. Upon her retirement, she returned to St. Mary’s Healthcare where she volunteered for 11 years before moving to the Provincial House.

Sister Mary Brendan, the daughter of the late James and Mary Hession Gilleran, is survived by her brothers-in-law, Frank With and John Telfer; her nieces and nephews: Margaret With Chevalier, Catherine With, James With, Thomas With, Peter With, John Telfer and Joseph Telfer, and their families; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, with special mention of her beloved friend, Sister Karen Shults. In addition to her parents, Sister Mary Brendan was predeceased by her two sisters, Anna Mary Gilleran With and Nora Gilleran Telfer.