A Mass of Thanksgiving in Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Sister Ellen Convey, IHM (1948-2025).

I went to see Sister Ellen about an idea I had to start a program where we would bring dogs after school to help 2nd graders read. I had done research on similar programs at other schools where the children would read to the dogs. I was very nervous about objections she would bring up, like allergies, injuries (bites) , poor dog behavior etc. But when I explained my idea, without hesitation she said OK Let’s Try It! She was so open to the new idea, and I was just thrilled that she trusted me to start up WagTales.

Love you forever.

In honor of Sister Ellen Convey, IHM

May Sister Ellen Rest in Paradise! She will never ever be forgotten!

In honor of Sister Ellen

The year of 1997, Sister Ellen gave me the opportunity to teach single gender classroom of girls. During that time it was a single gender class with fourth grade all girls. I started out with 15 Young females. Working at the Gesu School and working under Sister Ellen is one of my Best 15 years of teaching! Sister Ellen taught me patience, and what a good leader should look like.🙏🏼❤️

Sister Ellen cared very deeply about the Gesu community and students. She is very missed walking the halls of Gesu. She knew every student by their name and made it a point to keep the Gesu School safe from any harm. Nwalipenja Children

“Sis Ellen was the heartbeat of GESU. She loved and cared for every student as her own and was the steady presence we all leaned on for so many years. We were truly blessed to know her, and her spirit will always live on in our hearts.”

What a beautiful person Sister Ellen was. After graduation in 2008, i came back in 2010 looking for a job and the first person asked was Sister Ellen . She told me to go and talk to the after school director, so i did and was hired. When i told her i was hired she was more excited than i was. Everyday until my last day working there she treated me fair and make sure i doing the right things. As a student the discipline and tough love she gave us made us the adults we are today. RIP and thank you for giving me my first working opportunity

Sister Ellen was the perfect combination of kindness and firmness that represent the impact that the Gesu School can and will have on this world. I am a better person for having known her.

A woman if enormous insight, compassion and good humot whom i think of often with love and admiration

An amazing mission-minded IHM Sister totally devoted to the mission of Gesu School!

A GREAT woman of faith, hope, love, and joy! Thank you Sr. Ellen, IHM for your years of service, love, and commitment to Gesu School and Community!

Dearest Sr. Ellen; Ahhhhhh! What a gift it was to be with you at Citizens Bank Park to celebrate you last Spring. It felt so good to be with The Gesu Family. It felt like a huge family reunion and you; the matriarch. Fast forward exactly a year to your passing. My heart has been heavy since your passing. You were, and are, and always will be, a huge part of “my story”. You were the first to give your nod of approval to Troy and I dating. You were not one bit surprised when I asked/told you after GEM one day that we were dating. I’ll never forget your face soften into this magical smile. The magical Sr. Ellen smile that made you feel like you had just passed a final exam with flying colors, and the teacher, who was hard all year, was now soft and just as proud. You were a true North Star. The star of North Philly more so! Everyone knew where they stood with you and you could get right down to the core in any situation, in the most efficient (and sometimes scary 😊) ways. You had no time for what was not real or authentic or necessary. You were so laser focused on your vocation; THE GESU SCHOOL, that anything and anyone who was not a part of that growing mission was easily weeded out. Not because you didn’t care, but because you knew what God sent you to do with your life and you didn’t let anything superficial deter you, or get in the way, of you completing this mission. And guess what?!? MISSION ACCOMPLISHED….. You are the SPIRIT of THE GESU SCHOOL. You will never ever ever be forgotten - for generations to come. The Gesu will never ever ever be the SAME. I hope it continues to thrive for generations but I am sad knowing it will never be quite the same as those 10 wonderful years I spent there witnessing you as leader of the family. I always knew you made a difference in my life but it wasn’t until your death that I knew how deep and meaningful that difference has been. You remind me that passion is mission and mission is passion and when they come together; there is deep compassion for ALL. Thank you for everything…… PS: I’m sorry my lesson plan wasn’t finished on Tuesday and that I was always the last one in the building for conferences and on the last day of school cleaning my classroom….. Love always and forever; Ms. “E.-Sams” Rest in Eternal Peace!

She loathed gum chewers! I witnessed many harsh "What's that in your mouth? Spit it out now! Don't let me see you with chewing gum again! Kids shook in their boots. Me too. She could be scary. After a couple of years, I went to her with news I had read of a study that posited that gum chewing was actually beneficial during test taking. Something about the mandible in action activating a certain part of the brain while calming another, as I recall. I fully expected her to throw me out of her office or maybe even school, but Terra Novas were coming up and she was game to try. I bought the chewing gum for all test takers, she gave it out, and the scores did go up a bit. The point is: she was game! She was always game.

Sister Ellen gave me my first teaching job in 1996 as a 6th grade teacher and she was the best principal ever. The last time I saw her she asked me if I was done playing around with public school and ready to return to Gesu. She taught me a lot about leadership. I am so grateful for Sister Ellen.

Sister Ellen, a beautiful and caring person I know she is very well missed.

I had the good fortune to know Sr. Ellen since I was a Jesuit Volunteer at St. Malachy's in 1991. For years, teachers from the two schools did professional development together. Sr. Ellen had a profound impact on my lifelong career as a teacher and Principal. Rest in peace, Sr. Ellen!

We miss you dearly Sr. Ellen. Rest well in God's loving care. Please pray for us and keep an eye out for us!

Phillies press conference before Sr. Ellen threw out the first pitch. Go Phillies! Sr. Ellen is watching.

She was the best!!! We will always love Sister Ellen!!

Sister Ellen you are sorely missed. Each day I make it my goal to further the Gesu mission in your honor and look after each student as you would. I know your spirit is with us daily.

Thank you Sister Ellen for your support and friendship while working at GESU. A beautiful thing to have touched so many lives

Sister Ellen was a beautiful, kindhearted person. She always looked out for me and my family. She was truly a blessing.

Over a quarter century as a teacher at the Prep I have admired Sr. Ellen's energy, passion, and commitment to the children of the Gesu School. Rest in Peace, friend!

Sister Ellen was divinely inspired and used her gift to inspired so many others.

Alumni '95 ans former parent '24. I always called Sr. Ellen my biggest cheerleader. She would encourage me to go farther and when I was hesitant she would ask why I was hesitant. It would lead me to think and I could never find the answer. I remember her being stern with my generation and I would always tell her she was soft now, lol. Sr. Ellen you will be greatly missed. You were the heart of Gesu. Thank you for all you did for they community.

In memory of Sister Ellen

Sister Ellen made such an impact on our family, at a time we needed it most. I fondly remember wearing her down after calling her every day for over a month, trying to get my children into Gesu School. Every day she would answer the phone and say, "Mr. Neal, we still do not have spots available for your children." She and I laughed when she finally said, "Okay, Mr. Neal. I will figure out how to make room for your children." Sister Ellen was a true educator, and she cared for and loved each and every one of her students -- anyone who knew her knows that to be true. She will truly be missed. Submitted with heartfelt love and thanks, The Neals, Steve, Lisa, Mike, Steph and Frank a/k/a "Brian"

In memory of Sister Ellen

She was one of a kind the whole time I was a student at GESU she was my principal one thing I can say is she held it together and she was on ur back if u wasn’t doing what u was supposed to do rest well my lady GOD bless u I can’t believe I don’t have notifications pics of us but I got the memories of u in my head

Sister Ellen was one of the most amazing people we knew and always was a huge help, god bless her!!

In honor of Sister Ellen

You were so warm and caring and you dedicated your life to God and Children, thank you

Sister Ellen was my friend and mentor. Together we rooted for the Phillies. I was blessed to have worked with her.

The Heart and Soul of Gesu School!

Sister Ellen was always very supportive and encouraging to all of my children and I treasure the relationship we built over the years.