Obituary of Sr. Mary Christina Geis, R.S.M.

Sister Mary Christina Geis, Sister of Mercy Sister Christina died peacefully on Monday, April 13, 2015 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center in Watchung, NJ. Sister Christina was born in Woodbridge, NJ. She was the daughter of the late Hugo and Catherine Geis. She claimed that her vocation was nurtured through a personal awareness of God in her life and entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1935. She began teaching on the primary level for a few years in Immaculate Conception School, Camden and St Elizabeth School, Bernardsville. She received her BA degree in fine arts from Georgian Court College and her MFA from the University of PA. Her postgraduate study includes course work at the New York-Phoenix School of Design at the Pratt Institute and the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London. Sister Christina spent 49 years teaching at Georgian Court College and during this time she traveled to the University of Florence, Italy where she took seven courses in art history. Over the years she produced an extensive range of art that included murals, portraits, fine lettering, oils and watercolors. For 30 years she provided visiting artists and students the opportunity to display their work in the gallery of the art department and because of this, the gallery was named in her honor. Sister Christina was known for her magnificent watercolors, her dedicated work in bringing about the restoration and upkeep of the National Historic Landmark Campus of Georgian Court. She also wrote a detailed book, Georgian Court: An Estate of the Gilded Age, which depicts the rich art and social history of the George Jay Gould Estate. She served on many committees, including the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, the Lakewood Heritage Commission and the Editorial Board for a new history of Ocean County. In 2001 she was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus by Georgian Court University. Retiring to McAuley Hall she continued to enjoy many visitors and was always happy to point out some of her exquisite art work which grace the halls. She is survived by her dearly loved sister, Sister Mary Geis,RSM of Watchung, her brothers William Geis of Point Pleasant, NJ and Joseph Geis (Elizabeth), of Carteret, NJ and several nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and Sisters of Mercy in the Mid-Atlantic Community. Visitation will take place at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, 1633 Highway 22, Watchung, NJ on Thursday, April 16, 2015. Wake will be from 9:30 to 11:00 am Welcome Home Service at 9:45 am Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am Burial will be in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ. Memorial contributions may be made to Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, 1645 Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069.