Luci Baines Johnson Honors Sister Gertrude Levy

After a lifetime of service, Sister Gertrude Levy passed away on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at the age of 105. Below is a statement from her friend, Luci Baines Johnson.

For over 4 decades Sister Gertrude was a bright light in the lives of four generations of my family and the lives of thousands who visited Seton Hospital.

In our scariest days of deaths and despair Sister’s presence was always one of comfort and hope. In times of births and celebrations Sister was our dearest cheerleader. On one of the many times we had to take my mother to the hospital, Mama would say first, “please call Sister Gertrude before you call the doctor.” That was the faith we all had in Sister Gertrude.

There are generations of Volunteers at Seton of all ages and faiths who were really Sister Gertrude groupies. I’ll never forget when the Daughters of Charity announced they would have to leave Seton. I like the entire Seton Family couldn’t bear the thought of Sister Gertrude leaving. My daughter Nicole called to tell me “Mother you have just got to get the Daughters to let Sister Gertrude stay at Seton. We can’t live without her. My friends and I will pay her lease.” I was touched to tears that Nicole actually thought I had that kind of influence. I so
desperately wish I had.

What was Sister’s magic? Sister believed in you more than you believed in you. When my daughter Nicole was just six she gave her first speech at Seton Main’s dedication, Sister stood faithfully by her side coaching. Sister’s faith in Nicole was so captivating that Nicole is still working for Seton nearly five decades later.

For a half a century Sister encouraged me too to fundraise and friend raise not only for Seton Main but Seton’s Chapels and the Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine. How do you turn a selfless nun down who says; “All I want for my 100th birthday is for you to Chair the restoration of Mother Seton’s Shrine in Emittsburg Maryland?” “Yes Sister” was not only my answer but the only answer any of Sister’s
countless fans could muster while under her spell. Last week we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Canonization of Mother Seton. I called to tell Sister to say that after six years of work we had succeeded in creating an endowment so there would always be a Shrine. Alas it was the last time we spoke. Sister’s voice was so faint I couldn’t really hear her. I pray she heard me tell her that her prayers had been answered.

When Sister said, “I pray for you every day,” you know she meant it. Hers were never idle words but always loving labors.

Sister was in every way a servant leader putting God First, her neighbor Second, and herself Third. She took a personal vow of poverty yet raised millions of dollars for the healthcare of the the poor and the vulnerable. We pray the Good Lord is now showering on Sister the joy she always showered on us.

Published: September 29th, 2025