Farewell to Sister Gloria

The parishioners of St. Patrick's Church in Apalachicola gathered in the Fellowship Hall Sunday to bid farewell to Sister Gloria Glynn, who has served with the Dominican Mission at Martin House for seven years.  Chef Eddie of the Magnolia Grille donated a magnificent Chocolate cake decked with strawberries and parishioners sipped tea and punch.  There were shared memories, laughter and a few tears as the parish said good bye to Glynn, who has been a selfless worker for the community. 

"It seems like one very long but wonderful year looking back. Its unbelievable how time passes." Glynn said.

Sister Gloria came to Apalachicola on a temporary assignment.

"I was just coming back from a Sabbatical," she said. "Sister Peter Claver, who was here, became ill. She was having surgery. Sister Sheila was going to be here alone and she was visually impaired so she could not drive. I was asked to come and stay with her.

"Sister Peter eventually died, after being moved to the Mother House. Year after year I was asked to remain. I have done a lot of volunteer work. I worked at the Early Childhood Development Center on Highway 98 and I tutored at Chapman. I worked with Bertha Stanley there, who retired last year. When she changed grades, I went with her.

"It's hard to pick out any one person but Dot Rolstad has been a marvelous friend to the sisterhood since the day we arrived here. She has been such a support to our ministry and she helped us to find the Martin House," she said.

Sister Gloria has also been a tireless volunteer working with the Food Pantry and doing outreach to senior citizens.

"She has done so much for the community. We at Elder Care cannot thank her enough. She has had a real impact on this area," said Bert Ivey, director for ElderCare Services in Franklin County.

"My most memorable time in Apalachicola was the time of Hurricane Dennis. It was wonderful to see the way the community came together, but I have many happy memories," said the nun.

She is being transferred to St. Michael's Academy in Fernandina Beach, near Jacksonville.

"It's a beautiful school. The Sisters of St. Joseph founded it about 100 years ago. It was closed down about 60 years later. Ten years ago it was restored and reopened by my sisterhood, the Dominican Sisters," said Sister Gloria.

"I will be what I call the ‘gopher.' I'll work in the office and do some tutoring. Of course, I have mixed feelings. I hate to say goodbye, but the area is very similar to Apalachicola in many ways so I feel like there's a connection."

She said she hopes to return for the Florida Seafood Festival this fall.

"I don't feel I'm saying goodbye and anyone who comes to Jacksonville will always be welcome," she said.

Sister Gloria will be replaced by Sister Leonius Skaar, originally of Minnesota.