Lillian Ernestine Ritchie was born to Andrew and Anna Elizabeth Ray Ritchie on September 10, 1904, at Flaherty, Ky. She was the third child of nine. She was baptized October 16 at St. Martin Church, Flaherty. Lillian lived on a large farm owned and cultivated by the family. It was an ideal place for the large family — space to play, trees to climb, horses to ride, and all the other advantages of country life. Lillian loved the wide-open spaces, and remembers her childhood years as carefree, full of joy.
Her formal education began at Flaherty Public School in September 1910. When the Ursulines of Mount Saint Joseph opened St. Martin of Tours parish school, she enrolled and completed elementary school there. She attended high school at Mount Saint Joseph Academy.
On July 16, 1920, Lillian, with 13 companions, one of whom was her sister Julietta, entered the novitiate and Mount Saint Joseph. March 1921, she received the habit, and the name Sister Georgine. In November 1921, as a novice, Sister was assigned to help Sister Rose Lima, who was the only teacher at St. Alphonsus School, across the road from the Mount. Sister Georgine took over grades one and two. Henry O’Bryan, who became a priest, was in that class.
After professing first vows in August 1923, Sister Georgine was assigned to various parochial schools: In Kentucky, Rome, Louisville (St. James), Holy Cross, Lebanon (St. Charles), St. Frances, Rome (a second time), Jeffersontown, Buechel, Louisville (St. Margaret Mary, principal and superior), Louisville (St. Denis, grade six), St. Angela Education Center, and Louisville (St. Bernard-principal). She also served in Nebraska City, Neb., (St. Bernard Academy), and twice in Affton, Mo., at Seven Holy Founders, once as fifth grade teacher, the other as principal and superior). In 1975, she retired from teaching and school administration and lived at Seven Holy Founders for three years.
In 1978, Sister Georgine came to the Motherhouse. She and her sister, Sister Ernestine, also retired, enjoyed having time together and visiting family and friends. Sister Georgine cherished the opportunity to be present to Sister Ernestine in her last illness and time of death, June 21, 1992. Although this separation caused much loneliness for Sister Georgine, she never lost her zest for life and learning, continued her love for reading, her interest in family, friends and former pupils. She found added relief in reminiscing with other retired Sisters with whom she had lived and worked. Her greatest comfort came from the quiet peaceful hours she spent in prayer. Her death came on Sunday, November 28, 1999. The funeral Mass was celebrated Wednesday morning December 1, 1999 by Msgr. Bernard Powers. Sister’s remains rest in the convent cemetery. Sister Georgine’s Ursuline sister, Sister Ernestine, preceded her in death.