Sister M. Elizabeth Ann Lemnah died quietly and peacefully on October 11, 2021 after a very long illness.
Elizabeth was born on July 20, 1944 in Washington, DC. Her parents Gordon and Verna (Kamenz) Lemnah were from Vermont and South Dakota respectively. Sister and her family of two sisters and one brother grew up in St. John Parish in McLean, VA. Elizabeth’s elementary education centered in the Fairfax, Falls Church, and McLean areas in Virginia; she graduated from Bishop Denis O’Connell High School in Arlington, VA in 1963. Later, while in Community, Sister earned degrees from Immaculata College and West Chester State University.
Elizabeth entered the Congregation on September 8, 1963; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister M. Gerald Joseph, on June 27, 1964. Sister pronounced her First Vows on June 28, 1966.
Sister Elizabeth’s first teaching assignment was at St. Pius X School in Norfolk, VA, where she taught first grade children. From the fall of 1966 through the school year ending 2011, Sister taught the younger children, (grades 1, 2, and 3) throughout her ministry of teaching. Sister taught children at St. Anne in Rock Hill, S.C., St. Joseph in Ashland, St. Peter in Elizabethtown, and St. Michael in Annandale, VA. Sister served the children and families in the following parish schools in Philadelphia: Good Shepherd, St. Thomas, St. Martin of Tours, Holy Name, and St. Anselm.
In August 2011, Sister Elizabeth’s health began a serious decline. Sister entered our convent home in Camilla Hall. By her prayer and example, Sister Elizabeth was an exemplary member of the Apostolate of Prayer and, when able, assisted at Camilla where she could. God rest her beautiful soul.
Sister’s dear parents, Gordon Lemnah and Verna Lemnah (Kamenz) and her brother-in-law Tom Hamp predecease her. In addition to her IHM Community, Sister Elizabeth Ann’s sisters Carolyn Hamp, Maureen Herstam (David), her brother Gerald (Sherry), nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews survive Sister and participated in her funeral liturgy, which Rev. Michael Callaghan celebrated on Friday, October 15, 2021 at 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355