Sister Geraldine Podobnik was born on February 15, 1939, to Mary and Frank Podobnik and grew up in Joliet as the second of their five children. Geri had an older brother, Frank, two younger brothers, Joseph and Raymond (all deceased now), and one younger sister, Susan (living). Family meant everything to her, and she loved talking about them and relating to them. One classmate recalled recently how, as a postulant, she eagerly looked forward to reading the Joliet Herald newspaper on Saturday mornings to see how her football-playing brothers did in Friday night games at Joliet Catholic High. Once, she was delighted to see a photo that captured her little sister cheering for the team.

Sister Geraldine, known first as Sister Carmelyn with her pre-Vatican II name, had attended St. Mary Nativity elementary school, St. Francis Academy, and the College of St. Francis, cementing her roots in Joliet. She always hoped to be a nurse, but instead of joining a nursing community, she wanted to join the Joliet Franciscans because they had been her teachers. She did receive a promise, though, that if she came and then agreed to teach for a time, she could eventually go to nursing school.

Read More About Sister Geraldine’s Life

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Rita or another Joliet Franciscan Sister, please click here:  Remembering our Deceased Sisters.