Sister Germaine Hilston, CSJ, 86

Sister Germaine Hilston, CSJ (Sister Grace Albert), 86, died Dec. 20 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 67 years.

Sister Germaine was born in Albany on Feb. 27, 1934, daughter of the late Albert and Grace White Hilston. After graduating from Cathedral Academy, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet on Aug. 15, 1953, and professed final vows on Aug. 15, 1960.

Sister Germaine received a bachelor’s degree in French from The College of Saint Rose and a master’s degree in theology from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vt. For 22 years, she taught elementary grades in schools of the Albany and Syracuse Dioceses. In 1977, Sister Germaine began her ministry in religious education and faith formation. She served as religious education coordinator in St. Joseph’s Parish in Troy; pastoral associate at St. Francis de Sales in Troy; director of faith formation at the Columbia County Faith Formation Center in Hudson; and director of religious education for the Northern Region of the Diocese of Syracuse.

Sister Germaine is survived by her brother Edmund Carl Hilston of Nashua, N.H.; several nieces and nephews and their families; many friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, with special mention of her beloved friend, Sister Phyllis Mauger. In addition to her parents, Sister Germaine was predeceased by three brothers, John, Albert David and Paul Hilston; and by two sisters, Eileen Davis and Marie Brady.

Due to the continued health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no public funeral services for Sister Germaine at this time. A Memorial Mass will be scheduled at a later date.