Sr. Dorothy Falkowska, OSB "Sister Gerard"

Sr. Dorothy Falkowska (AKA Sister Gerard) was born in Wilmington, DE on January 10, 1935 to Frank and Maryanne Licki. She was the youngest of their eight children. She attended and graduated from St. Hedwig Grade School and St. Elizabeth High School. After graduation in 1952, she entered the Benedictine Sisters of Ridgely, Maryland.

She furthered her education by receiving her Bachelor's and Master's in Elementary Education from Villanova University.

Sister taught grades two through eighth grades for eight and a half years. Her next appointment was as principal of St. Elizabeth Elementary School, where she served for thirty-three years. In addition, she also taught and was principal at Sacred Heart School for a little more than two years.

In 2003, the Sisters elected her as their prioress. Her term of office was for five years. She has also served as Sub-Prioress. She spent part of her sabbatical in 2006 traveling through the Holy Land.

Sister Dorothy was chosen for two awards: one “Peacemaker Among Us” in 1989 from ‘Pacem in Terris’ and the second “ST ELIZABETH HALL OF FAME” in 2019.

Sewing, crocheting, knitting, reading, and some artwork kept her days occupied.

Besides her parents, she was pre-deceased by all seven of her siblings: Eugene, Alexander, Alice, Sister Malvine, CSSF, Jeannette, Katherine, and Teresa as well as three nephews, John, Blyskal, Sr. and Jr., Robert Falkowski, and Gary Gilbert. She is survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as, her Benedictine Sisters.

She died peacefully on August 24, 2026, at St. Gertrude Monastery.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 1st at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 15 Gender Rd., Newark, DE 19713 with a Mass of Christian Burial to begin at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at St. Gertrude Cemetery in Ridgely, MD on Wednesday September 2nd at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are recommended to the Benedictine Sisters, 25 Gender Road, Newark, DE 19713. Online condolences may be made to mealeyfuneralhomes.com.