Sister Virginia Bertschi

Sister Virginia Bertschi, R.S.M., 67, a member of the Mid-Atlantic Community of the Sisters of Mercy, died at home in Cresson, Pa., on Friday, September 25, 2009.
Sr. Ginny was the senior vice president for Administrative Services at Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, Pa.
Mary Virginia, a daughter of Otto and Mary (Joyce) Bertschi, was born on Feb. 23, 1942, in the Bronx, N.Y. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1959, and professed her religious vows on Aug. 16, 1962. Then known as Sr. M. Kevin Joseph, she professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1967.
Sr. Ginny was a graduate of Queen of the Rosary Academy, Amityville, N.Y., and Misericordia University, Dallas. She received an M.A. in Catechetical Theology from Manhattan College, N.Y., and an advanced diploma in Educational Administration from St. John’s University, N.Y.
During her 50 years as a Sister of Mercy, Sr. Ginny served in the Pennsylvania Dioceses of Harrisburg, Altoona-Johnstown, Scranton; in the New York Dioceses of New York, Brooklyn, Rockville Center; and in the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio. She also ministered with the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland, and Rosslyn, South Africa.
In addition to her work as a gifted college administrator, Sr. Ginny was a teacher and principal for many years. She was principal of Our Lady of Mercy Academy, Syosset, N.Y.; Dean of Students at St. Catherine Academy, Bronx, N.Y.; and Principal of McAuley High School, Toledo, Ohio. She was a member of the faculty at St. Francis Prep., Fresh Meadows, N.Y., and Bishop Reilly High School, Flushing, N.Y.
She was the Assistant Director of Education in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. She also served in community leadership as the Director of Ministry for the Sisters of Mercy, Dallas.
Sr. Ginny was a member of the board of trustees, Misericordia University. She also was the chairperson of the Sisters of Mercy Healthy Communities Initiative Endowment Fund.
Sr. Ginny is survived by her brothers, Thomas Bertschi (Barbara), Bethpage, N.Y., Steven Bertschi (Ginny), Southold, N.Y., Robert Bertschi (Jane), Babylon, N.Y.; her sisters, Catherine Schneider (Dennis), Greene, N.Y., Janet Bertschi-Young (Arthur), South Orange, N.J., Carol Bertschi (partner, Gregory Livote), Bethpage, N.Y.; many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her loving Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.
A wake service will be held at the Charles M. Kennedy Funeral Home, 233 Keystone Ave., Cresson, today. Transferal to Mercy Center, Dallas, will be Monday at 2 p.m. The viewing will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. in Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton.
Memorial contributions in the name of Sr. Ginny may be made to the Mount Aloysius Scholarship Fund, 7373 Admiral Peary Highway, Cresson, PA 16630, or to the Retirement Fund, Sisters of Mercy, PO Box 369, Dallas, PA 18612.
Arrangements are by E. Blake Collins Funeral Home, Wilkes-Barre.