SINSINAWA — Sister Florence Gavin, OP, died Dec. 8, 2020, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. Her religious name was Sister Petra. The funeral Mass was held at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Dec. 18, 2020, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Florence made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Aug. 5, 1950, and her perpetual profession Aug. 5, 1953. She taught for 30 years and served as director of religious education for four years, nurse aid for two years, and pastoral care person for seven years. Sister Florence guided people who wanted to grow in their spiritual lives for five years. She was generous to all in her gentle attention to God’s path as each life unfolded in her presence. Sister Florence served in Illinois, the District of Columbia, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, California, Iowa, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Hawaii and Tennessee, as well as Cochabamba, Bolivia.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Florence ministered in pastoral care at the Motherhouse, Sinsinawa, 1991-1994 and 1995, and volunteered at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, 2001-2010.
Sister Florence was born May 13, 1929, in Lake Geneva, the daughter of Paul and Blanche (Robinson) Gavin. Her parents; a sister, Helena Gavin; and four brothers, Robert Gavin, G. Thomas Gavin, Paul Gavin and A. Peter Gavin, preceded her in death. She is survived by nieces, nephews and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 70 years of religious life.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or at www.sinsinawa.org/donate online.
A repeat broadcast of the funeral for Sister Florence is available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live Click on the “on demand” tab.