Sister Toni Kivlahan, OSF, former pastoral associate at St. Paul the Apostle Mission in Cleveland, died Jan. 20 at her Franciscan motherhouse in Dubuque, Iowa.

Sister Kivlahan, 62, had returned to Iowa for cancer treatment in October, 1991. She died in Holy Family Hall, the sisters’ infirmary, with members of her community surrounding her with prayer and song.

Sister Susann Rogers, OSF, a member of the pastoral care staff at the infirmary, said Sister Kivlahan “always had a very grateful thank you” for those who cared for her. “Her great gratitude and gentleness” were evident even in her suffering, Sister Rogers said.

Sister Kivlahan had served in the archdiocese of Atlanta for about eight years. She was involved in community projects, religious education and parish renewal in Cleveland area.

A wake service was held Jan. 21 in Mount St. Francis Chapel at the motherhouse. Sisters Lene Rubley and Ruth Fagan, OSF, sister Kivlahan’s co-workers in the archdiocese of Atlanta, offered the reflection. A funeral Mass was held in the chapel on Jan. 22. Father Doug Wathier, chaplain at Holy Family, celebrated the Mass.

Sister Kivlahan is survived by her brothers Bill and John and their families, who live in the greater Dubuque area. Sister Kivlahan’s return to Iowa meant her family could be with her during her illness.

Father Ed Gorny, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle mission, will celebrate a memorial Mass in the Cleveland community at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29. He offered a memorial Mass in St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Blairsville, on Jan. 21.

“We appreciate the beautiful Christian witness given by Sister Toni during more than eight years here in the North Georgia mountains,” Father Gorny said. “She especially exemplified the Franciscan ideal of Christian service – real giving.”

“Even during her illness she was always reaching out to others. We appreciate the many gifts she shared with us. Her self-giving was so real, so authentic. In her illness there was no self-pity, no anger. She was open to the Lord’s way for her. Hopefully she is enjoying his company now.”

“Toni is going to be missed here,” Father Gorny added, “but there’s consolation in knowing her pain is over.”

Deacon Daniel Bradach and Sister Rosemary Wickham, OSF, represented the two parishes at the Jan. 22 funeral Mass in Dubuque.