Born Nov. 17, 1898, to Denis and Mary Ryan Sherron, Catherine was one of 11 children. This family lived in McQuady, Ky., and Catherine grew up there when Father John Francis Knue was pastor. Catherine and her younger sister, Mary, traveled by horse and buggy to the Church of St. Mary of the Woods where Father Knue instructed them in their religion. Catherine attended the public school for elementary grades, and graduated from Mount Saint Joseph Academy in 1920. She returned, in February 1924, to enter the novitiate. After six months, Catherine received the Ursuline habit on August 15, 1924, and the name Sister Mary Gesine.
Sister Mary Gesine began teaching the upper elementary grades at Calvary, Ky., in 1928. In 1932, she was sent to nearby St. Francis, and to Holy Cross from 1933-1942. She was assigned to the Kentucky towns of Wax (1942-1945), Knottsville (1947-1948), and St. Charles, Lebanon (1948-1950). Early in 1950, Sister was diagnosed with cancer throughout her body, even in the skull. She made a great effort and stayed in the classroom until the close of school. She was taken immediately to St. Joseph Infirmary, but it was beyond the ability of the doctors to help her. She died, hemorrhaging throughout her body, in the early morning of June 28, 1950. Her remains were brought to Mount Saint Joseph that same day. On June 30, Msgr. Gilbert Henninger, chaplain, celebrated the funeral Mass. Sister Mary Gesine’s remains are laid to rest in the convent cemetery.