Sister Druke

Druke RSM, Sister Mathilda, (Sister Mary Thaddeus) died in St. Peter's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Monday, January 11, 2016. She had been a Sister of Mercy for 67 years. Born in Williamsville, Vermont, she was the daughter of the late Joseph J. Druke and Gertrude Hickethier. Sister Mathilda studied at Trinity College, Burlington, Vermont, and earned a bachelor's degree from the College of St. Rose, Albany, and a master's degree from St. Michael's College, Winooski, Vermont. She ministered as a teacher at St. Mary's, Clinton Heights; St. Patrick's, Watervliet; Our Lady of Victory, St. Paul's and St. Augustine's, Troy; St. Joseph's, Rensselaer; St. Patrick's, Ravena; and St Mary's, Gloversville, where she was also principal. Sister served as the Director of Religious Education for youth and adults in St. Anthony's Parish, White River Junction, Vermont, and as a Pastoral Associate at Immaculate Conception Church, Hoosick Falls, New York where she offered Mercy Outreach. Sister Mathilda exhibited great love and profound respect for nature, a gift no doubt nurtured by her upbringing on the family farm in Vermont. Being outdoors energized her and she eagerly shared her vast store of knowledge and experience with her science students. Her manner was self-effacing; she didn't seek to be the center of attention. Instead, she delighted in engaging others in activities that would enable them to be in touch with the beauty and mystery of the natural world that so captivated her. In her parish ministry, Sister Mathilda had a way of putting people at ease whether she was bringing Communion, caring for the sick, or listening to the woes of the homebound. She was honest and direct in her communication. After she retired from active ministry, Sister Mathilda volunteered to staff the hospitality cart in the surgical waiting area at St. Peter's Hospital. Anxious relatives and friends waiting for word about their loved ones who were in surgery received not only coffee and a snack but more importantly a gentle, compassionate presence. She was attentive to people in distress and responsive to their needs, whether they be the elderly in nursing homes or young mothers struggling to provide for their newborns. Sister Mathilda cared. In addition to her parents, Sister Mathilda was predeceased by her sisters, Gertrude and Frances Druke, Sister Mary Michael D.C. (Elizabeth Druke), and Barbara Barnish; and by her brothers Arthur and Joseph. She is survived by her sisters Mary Dauphinais of Brattleboro, and Theresa Druke of Portland, Connecticut; her brothers Bernard (late Elizabeth) of Brattleboro; Edward (Jean) of Newfane; John (Martha) of Kirkville, New York; Charles of Weare, New Hampshire; her sisters-in-law Imelda (late Arthur) and Dorothy (late Joseph). She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, as well as by her religious community, the Sisters of Mercy. Viewing hours will be from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 15, in the Chapel of the Convent of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Prayer Service of Remembrance in the Chapel at 7:00 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, January 16, at the Convent of Mercy. Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush. The Sisters of Mercy are grateful to the staff of St. Peter's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the great tenderness with which they cared for our Sister. Contributions may be made in Sister Mathilda's memory to the Sisters of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, New York 12208.