Gertrude Valentine, of Goose Creek, SC, died on Jan. 20, 2003. Wife of the late Burtis. Mother of Susan Thorns. Also survived by many other family members and friends. Arrangements were made by the McCourt & Trudden Funeral Home, Farmingdale. Religious service at the funeral home. Interment LI National Cemetery. Matthew Hoffmann, of Brooklyn, died suddenly on Jan. 21, 2003. Beloved son of Mary Jane Murphy and John Hoffmann. Also survived by many other family members and friends. Arrangements were made by the McCourt & Trudden Funeral Home, Farmingdale. Cremation private.

Sister Jeanne Monica Mayer, OP, died on Jan. 31, 2003 in the Brentwood Convent, five days after her 90th birthday. She had dedicated 73 years in religious life as a Sister of St. Dominic.

Katherine Teresa Mayer was born in Camden, NJ, on Jan. 26, 1913, daughter of Julius and Katherine Mayer. She was admitted as a candidate to the Sisters of St. Dominic on Sept. 3, 1929. She received the holy habit on April 30, 1930 and her religious name was Sister Jeanne Monica. She professed her vows on May 2, 1931.

Sister Jeanne Monica's first assignment was to Holy Family, Brooklyn (1931-1934). She then moved to Nazareth Trade School in Farmingdale (1934-1942). She taught at St. Kilian School (1934-1941) and served as principal from 1941 to 1968.

Sister Jeanne Monica founded the St. Kilian Mothers Club in 1942. Raising money for the school and promoting cooperation among faculty, parents and children, and building loyalty were the club's stated objectives. She oversaw the construction of the new Cherry Street School in 1963. She and Father Raphael Schooff, OSB, founded the internationally renowned St. Kilian Boys Choir which performed on television, radio and stage. Sister Jeanne Monica trained the boys after school and traveled with them to their concerts. She always kept her love of music and mingled it her love of Mary and the hymn Salve Regina. She served in the St. Kilian administrative offices until she retired. Sisters with whom Sister Jeanne lived remember a person who was compassionate, joyful, generous and loving and happy summer days at the convent pool made possible through Sister's hospitality.

After her tenure as principal was concluded, Sister resided in St. Boniface, Elmont (1968-1971). She then moved to St. Catherine of Sienna, Franklin Square(1971-1997). During that time she ministered as personal director in St. Kilian Rectory (1971-1993) and found time to volunteer in the Religious Education program of St. Catherine's. From 1993 to 1997, Sister was involved in the ministry of Intercessory Prayer. Poor health necessitated a move to the Dominican Motherhouse, Amityville, in December 1997. Her last move was to Maria Regina Residence in Brentwood.

She is survived by her sisters, Frances Mayer and Natelda Stangert of Mt. Laurel, NJ and Elizabeth Bonell of Cherry Hill, NJ. Arrangements were made by the Arthur F. White Funeral Home. The Liturgy of Christian Burial was held at St. Albert Chapel on Feb. 3. Burial in the Sisters' Cemetery.

Sister Jeanne Monica was an institution in Farmingdale and will be sorely missed.

Mabel P. Gallon, of Boca Raton, FL, formerly of Queens, died on Jan. 26, 2003. Sister of Ellen McKeon and the late James Gallon. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements were made by the Arthur F. White Funeral Home. Funeral Mass at Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs RC Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Ida Celenza, of Farmingdale, died on Jan. 28, 2003. Wife of the late Louis. Mother of Teresa, Nancy, Michelle and Louis. Grandmother of seven. Great-grandmother of 11. Sister of Frances. Arrangements were made by the Arthur F. White Funeral Home. Funeral Mass at St. Kilian RC Church. Interment Pinelawn Memorial Park. Ciro Lubrano, of Farmingdale, died on Feb. 2, 2003. He was a WWII veteran Company "A," 60th Combat Engineer, 35th Division. Beloved husband of Martha. Loving father and father-in-law of Joseph and Kathleen. He was predeceased in 1976 by his cherished son, Anthony. Proud grandfather of Nicholas, Christina and Amelia. Dear brother of Peter, Rudy and Susan Edinger. Arrangements were made by the Arthur F. White Funeral Home. Funeral Mass at St. Kilian RC Church. Interment St. Charles Cemetery.