Sister Mary Aloyse Gerhardstein, RSM

Sister Mary Aloyse Gerhardstein, RSM is a native of Cheviot, Ohio who attended St. Martin elementary school. After graduating from Mother of Mercy High School, and entering the Sisters of Merc,y she earned her Bachelors in Music from the College Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. She taught music at her Alma Mater, Mother of Mercy for 16 years. When the newly established Mercy Montessori Center in Walnut Hills needed a teacher for the older elementary age children, Sister studied the Montessori Method of Education at Bergamo, Italy in 1971. She helped establish the upper elementary class at Mercy Montessori in 1972 and the junior high class in 1992. As part of a sabbatical year, Sister Mary Aloyse helped found an Elementary Montessori School in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1983. Throughout her years as a teacher of children, Xavier University called her to teach adults how to be Montessori teachers. In addition to education, music was her passion. She composed may works for singers, as well as several historical pageants and a Life of Maria Montessori. Retiring from teaching, she volunteered at Mercy Montessori Center in Walnut Hills, was a Board Member of the Over the Rhine Kitchen and Chief Musician for local Mercy celebrations. Sister Mary Aloyse passed away on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at age 92. Visitation will be held at St. Ignatius Church, 5222 North Bend Road, Cincinnati, 45239 on Wednesday, August 25 from 6:00 PM until Memorial Mass at 7 PM. Donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, McAuley Convent, 1768 Cedar avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45224.