Sister Mary Yvette Gillen, RSM

Sister Mary Yvette Gillen (Janice Sue Gillen) was born in Findley, OH., to Yvo and Grace Wise Gillen on February 23, 1942. She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings Norman, LaDonna Koening (Homer), and Ruth Ann Phillips (Harry). Sister Yvette is survived by her sister Beverly Nye (Richard), and her sister-in-law Nancy Gillen, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and her Mercy community.

Sister Yvette entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1961 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She taught for twenty years in Ohio and Tennessee. In 1976, she ministered as a Chaplain and Assistant Director of Pastoral Care, at St. Mary's Medical Center, in Knoxville, Tennessee forten years. She found her work as Chaplain on the Oncology floor most rewarding, helping the dying and their families. The patients appreciated her kindness and care.

Her next assignment was serving as Pastoral Associate in Clinton, Alcoa, and Norris Tennessee, which she did for nineteen years. She visited homes, hospitals, nursing homes, gave sacramental instructions, and coordinated the RCIA Program.

Sister Yvette became known for her roller skating raising $45,000 in five years for the Kidney Foundation and The Columbus Home. She was proud of her nickname "The Skating Nun."

In 2020, Sister retired to Mercy Convent in Nashville, Tennessee. Sister Yvette said "When I came to Tennessee, I fell in love with Tennessee. Most of my ministry was in East Tennessee. I loved the people I ministered to, the Sisters and the mountains".

The funeral will be November 12, 2025, at Mercy Convent in Nashville, Tennessee, with the Welcoming Service at 11:00 and the Celebration of Life Liturgy at 1:00. Burial will follow at Calvery Cemetery.