February 7, 1939 – August 12, 2020

Sister Genevieve Goessling, OSU, died peacefully on Aug. 12, 2020, at St. Clare Hospital in Fenton, Mo.

Born Barbara Ann on Feb. 7, 1939, in St. Louis to John Gregory and Genevieve Dennis Goessling, Sister Genevieve grew up in Alton, Ill. She entered the Ursulines in 1957 and professed her vows in 1960. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of New Rochelle in New York.

A beloved teacher for more than 30 years, Sister Genevieve taught at St. Peter School in Kirkwood, Mo., from 1963-68 and 1984-85, and at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Jennings, Mo., from 1992-96. She taught at Ascension School in Oak Park, Ill., from 1968-71; Blessed Sacrament School In Springfield, Ill., from 1971-75 and St. Aloysius in Springfield from 1975-79. She also taught at O’Connell Junior High School in Galveston, Texas, from 1979-80 and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Galveston from 1980-81. She was principal at St. Thomas School in Decatur, Ill., from 1981-82, and she taught at Marquette High School in Alton, Ill., from 1985-86 and at St. Ambrose School in Alton from 1986-1989.

Wrote one former student upon news of her passing: “She was the best teacher I ever had. She took her lunch time to take me in during that time that I was supposed to be on playground and gave me tutoring for long division! I will never forget it. When I finally got it, she said the lightbulb went off! I hope she knows how many students truly loved and appreciated her.”

Sister Genevieve was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Mary Lou Goessling. She is survived by sisters Bridget Slatten and Judy Paulter and brother John Goessling.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 18 at Ss. Peter and Paul in Alton. Burial was at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.