Sister Mary Lou Gillon (Sr.James Regina), 81, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham on October 20, 2021. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of James A. and Lena M. (Bernache) Gillon.
Sister Mary Lou entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish in Holyoke in 1958. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Holyoke. Sister earned a B.A. from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee and an M.A. in religious education from Boston College.
Sister Mary Lou taught at St. Mary’s High School in Westfield and at Holyoke Catholic High School in Holyoke. Sister served as Coordinator for Ministry to the Sick and Elderly at the Diocesan Office of Pastoral Ministry in Springfield. She also served as Pastoral Minister for the sick and homebound at St. Mary’s Parish in Haydenville and at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Holyoke. Sister also served as Director of Pastoral Care at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke.
Sister Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Charles Gillon. In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister leaves to mourn her loss her sister-in-law Dorothy Egan Gillon, her nephew James, and her niece Kathleen Haedicke. Sr. Mary Lou will be fondly remembered by her dear cousins Rev. James Gillon S.J and Francis Gillon as well as her many faithful friends and grateful students.
Services for Sr. Mary Lou will take place on October 28, 2021 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke. She will be waked from 9:00 am to 9:45 am with a prayer service at 9:15 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.