SISTER GEMMA HELLMANN, ASC, 78, of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Ruma Center, Ruma, Illinois, passed away at 4:02 am, Saturday, September 26, 2015 at the Ruma Convent. Loretta Gertrude Hellman was born on a farm near St. Rose, Illinois on January 21, 1937. She was the youngest of six children, five girls and one boy, born to Leo and Regina (nee Doerhoff) Hellmann. Loretta entered the Adorers of the Blood of Christ at Ruma, Illinois on December 30, 1954; professed her first vows as Sister Gemma on July 1, 1956; and made her final profession of vows on July 1, 1961. She has been an Adorer of the Blood of Christ for 59 years. Teaching was Gemma's great love. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in education from Sacred Heart College (now Newman University) in Wichita, Kansas in 1969. Gemma shared her gifts as an elementary school teacher with students at St. Augustine School, Kelso, MO; Holy Rosary School, Fort Dodge, Iowa; and in Illinois - St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Red Bud; Holy Family School, Cahokia; St. Mary's School in Taylorville; St. Lawrence School in Lawrenceville; St. Clare School in O'Fallon, St. Patrick School in Ruma; St. Andrew School in Murphysboro; SS Peter and Paul School in Waterloo; Prairie du Rocher Community Consolidated School in Prairie du Rocher; and St. Ann School in Nashville. In all of these venues she shared her gifts beyond the classroom, serving in two of the schools as principal (St. Patrick and St. Andrew) and in many places as parish organist. She presented at many teacher workshops, teaching other teachers the "School + Joy = Learning." When her health challenged her ability to be in the elementary school classroom, Gemma, brought her teaching skills to the Centralia Correction Center in Centralia, Illinois, where she taught music to the residents; Kaskaskia College, also in Centralia, where she tutored veterans and others who were in rehabilitation programs and finally in Clinton County (IL) Rehab, where she worked with developmentally challenged adults. When her health no longer supported these activities, Gemma moved back to Ruma, Illinois in April 1992. At the Ruma Center, Gemma helped in variety of ways, most notably as a clerical assistant to the Province Secretary and as seamstress for the sisters. In her final years, her greatest service was her smile and an unfailing sense of gratitude. Survivors: 1 Brother: James (Shirley) Hellmann 2 Sisters: Ruth Albers Sr. Cecilia Marie Hellmann, ASC Many Nieces, Nephews, Friends and Adorers of the Blood of Christ Preceded in death by: Parents, 2 Sisters - Anna Linda (William) Little and Mary Rose Hellmann and 1 Brother-in-law - Vincent Albers Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 am, Tuesday, September 29, 2015 Ruma Center Chapel, Ruma, Illinois Visitation: Tuesday - 8:30 am - 11:00 am Ruma Center Chapel, Ruma, Illinois Wake Service: Tuesday at 10:00 am Ruma Center Chapel, Ruma, Illinois Interment: Convent Cemetery Ruma, Illinois Donations in memory of Sister Gemma Hellmann may be sent to the ASC Retirement Fund, 4233 Sulphur Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109 or online at www.adorers.org, "Support Our Ministries".
