Sister Mary Georgeanna Mankel, RSM, died peacefully on Sept. 7 at the age 86.
Sister Mary Georgeanna, who served as a Sister of Mercy for 69 years, was born on Nov. 2, 1936, in Knoxville.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George Mankel Sr. and Willia Mankel, her brothers, Monsignor Xavier Mankel and George W. Mankel Jr., and a niece, Susan Fefolt.
Sister Mary Georgeanna is survived by nephews Mike Mankel (Tatsiana McGee), Eric and Sally Mankel, and Dave and Cathi Fefolt; nine great-nieces and nephews; 10 great-great nieces and nephews; and her Sisters of Mercy.
Sister Mary Georgeanna entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1954. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Our Lady of Cincinnati College, her master’s degree in education at the University of Tennessee, and her registered-nursing degree at Aquinas Junior College.
Sister Mary Georgeanna served as a nurse at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Knoxville, St. Bernard Retirement Home, and Mercy Convent in Nashville.
Sister Mary Georgeanna also was a teacher, mission coordinator, and music minister in Tennessee parochial schools, including St. Joseph School and Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Knoxville, St. Dominic School in Kingsport, St. Mary School in Johnson City, Sacred Heart School in Lawrenceburg, St. Edward School in Nashville, and Sacred Heart School in Loretto.
She also served as spiritual care and support for patients and their families at St. Mary’s Hospice.
Her hobbies included reading, puzzles, and playing the guitar and piano.
Her commitment to God was reflected in her choice of the work of Pedro Arrupe, S.J., “Fall in Love With God.” In her final years, Sister Mary Georgeanna received the love and support of her Sisters of Mercy and the devoted nursing staff at Mercy Convent.
A private funeral Mass was held at Mercy Convent in Nashville, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery in Nashville.