March 12, 1940 – August 8, 2024
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Joy Elaine Gilder, who passed away on August 8, 2024 at Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis. She was 84 years of age.
Sister Joy Elaine Gilder was born on March 12, 1940, in St. Louis to parents Elvin Isadore and Mary Frances (Fisher) Gilder. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1958 and was received into the novitiate as Sister Frances Michael in 1959. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Fontbonne College (now University) in 1974.
In 1963, Sister Joy began teaching elementary education in Mobile, Alabama, at Little Flower Grade School. She moved to St. Louis in 1966, and taught for two years at St. Luke the Evangelist Grade School (1966-1968), followed by five years at St. Patrick Grade School in St. Joseph, Missouri. In 1973, she took classes in special education at Fontbonne College. She returned to teaching and for the next 10 years, taught at Immacolata in St. Louis (1974-1976); at St. Rose of Lima in Houston, Texas (1976-1983); and at St. Cletus in St. Charles, Missouri (1983-1984).
In 1984, Sister Joy began her eight-year ministry in elder care in St. Louis. She served at St. Jude/Villa Capri Manor for a year, followed by seven years at Nazareth Convent.
In the 1990s, she also taught at St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf and Childgarden School. From 1999 to 2008, she served her province community as a printing and mailing assistant at the Carondelet Motherhouse.
For the next six years, Sister Joy served the Carondelet neighborhood as an outreach worker for the Carondelet Community Betterment Federation from 2008 to 2012 and as a volunteer until her retirement in 2014. Since 2019, she resided at Nazareth Living Center carrying out her mission of prayer and presence.
Sister Joy enjoyed music, reading, walking and nature. She also valued time playing cards with her community, family and friends.
A Memorial Mass will be held Thursday, August 29 at 10:30 a.m. at Nazareth Living Center Chapel, 2 Nazareth Lane, St. Louis, MO 63129.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province, 6400 Minnesota Ave., St. Louis, MO 63111-2899 or donate online.