ELizabeth (Liz) Gress

(Name in Religion: Sr. Rose Monica)

Sr. Elizabeth (Liz) Alice Gress died on November, 26, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, WA, at 96 years of age, after 78 years as a Sister of Providence.   Vigil Service:  Friday, December 12, 2025, 3:30 p.m., St. Joseph Residence, Chapel, 4800 37^th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA. Funeral Mass:  Saturday, December 13, 2025, 11:00 a.m. St. Joseph Residence, Chapel.  Burial: Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Holy Cross Cemetery, Spokane WA, at 1:00 p.m. Bonney-Watson Funeral Home, Seattle, WA, is in charge of the arrangements.

Sr. Liz was born on August 29, 1929 in Kennewick, WA to her parents Joe and Bertha (Bauer) Schuster. Sr. Liz had an older sister, Margaret. The close-knit family lived in White Bluffs, WA until at a very young age after her father died, Sr. Liz went to live with her aunt and uncle, George and Babette Gress in Richland, WA and later moved to Grandview, WA due to The Hanford Project.

Sr. Liz graduated from St. Joseph Academy, Sprague, WA in 1946, where she was a pupil in the boarding department. Her other educational achievements include: a B.A. in Education, College of Great Falls (now University of Providence) in 1958, and an M.A. in Education Administration, University of Notre Dame in 1962, and teaching credentials. She also received a Pastoral Theology Certificate, Seattle University, 1983.

Sr. Liz first met the Sisters of Providence at St. Joseph Academy, Sprague, WA. She visited Mount St. Vincent (now Providence Mount St. Vincent) for a workshop and later returned to enter the Sisters of Providence community in 1946. She became a novice in 1947, professed First Vows in 1948 and Final Vows in 1951.

Her first ministry was teaching kindergarten at St. Gerard School, Great Falls, MT and helping with the boarders living at St. Thomas Home, Great Falls, MT (1948-50). Her other educational ministries include: Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, Wallace, ID (1950-51); St. John School, Colfax, WA (1951-53); St. Raphael School, Glasgow, ID (1953-55); St. Thomas Home, Great Falls, MT (1955-56, 1965-66); St. Mary’s Training School, Des Plaines, IL (1956-62); St. Rita School, Kellogg, ID (1963-65); and St. Peter and Paul School, Great Falls, MT (1966-74). She was admissions director, College of Great Falls MT (1974-80). At the Sisters’ residence, Mount St. Joseph in Spokane, WA, Sr. Liz was the coordinator for the community (1980-82). Sr. Liz also ministered as a parish minister, St. Luke the Evangelist Church, Great Falls, MT (1982-92). In 1992, Sr. Liz permanently moved to Spokane from Great Falls and her ministries serving her religious community expanded to include: Team Member (1992-99); and Volunteer, Mount St. Joseph, Spokane, WA. She was also a very dedicated team member and volunteer with many organizations in Spokane until she moved to St. Joseph Residence, Seattle in early 2025.

Sr. Liz was full of gratitude for all her opportunities and the many friends she made. She will be remembered for her lovely smile, immense kindness and love of others. She will be deeply missed.  

Her parents, Joe and Bertha Schuster, and her sister Margaret (Gress) Moberly preceded her in death.  She is survived by her niece Mary Bercheid and nephew George Moberly; her extended family and her religious community.

Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, M1-C, Renton, WA  98057-9016. To view Sr. Liz’s obituary and picture, and to sign her memory book, please visit the website for Bonney-Watson Funeral Home at www.bonneywatson.com.