Sr. Elizabeth (Liz) Gress, age 96, a Sister of Providence for 78 years, died on November 26, 2025, at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle.
Sr. Liz, as she was fondly known, was born Elizabeth Alice Gress on August 29, 1929, in the Tri-Cities community of Kennewick, Washington, to parents Joe Schuster and Bertha (Bauer) Schuster. The younger of two daughters, she went to live with her uncle and aunt (George and Babette Gress) at just four months old, after her father died of pneumonia. Her sister, Margaret, remained under the care of their mother — and both households moved together to Grandview, Washington, when Sr. Liz was 12.
Sr. Liz first met the Sisters of Providence at St. Joseph Academy in Sprague, Washington, where she was a pupil in the boarding department. She visited Mount St. Vincent in Seattle for a yearbook workshop as a student, and returned after graduation from the Academy to enter as a postulant in 1946. She became a novice in 1947 and professed her Final Vows in 1951.
Her additional educational achievements included: a B.A. in Education, College of Great Falls (CGF; now University of Providence) in 1958; an M.A. in Education Administration, University of Notre Dame in 1962, along with earning teaching credentials. She also received a Pastoral Theology Certificate from Seattle University in 1983.
Sr. Liz’s first ministry began in 1948 as a kindergarten instructor at St. Gerard Grade School in Great Falls, Montana — which featured a classroom with many distractions, including a slide and climbing toys. “My blessing was Sr. Virginia Cosner, an excellent teacher, as my supervisor,” Sr. Liz would recall. She also helped with boarders living at St. Thomas Home in Great Falls as part of her initial ministry.
Her many ensuing educational ministries included tenures at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, Wallace, Idaho (1950-51); St. John School, Colfax, Washington (1951-53); St. Raphael School, Glasgow, Idaho (1953-55); St. Thomas Home, Great Falls (1955-56; 1965-66); St. Mary’s Training School, Des Plaines, Illinois (1956-62); St. Rita School, Kellogg, Idaho (1963-65); and St. Peter and Paul School, Great Falls (1966-74). She was also admissions director at CGF from 1974-80, and would later serve in community support roles at the Sisters’ residence Mount St. Joseph in Spokane, Washington and at St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Great Falls.
Sr. Liz made a permanent move back to Spokane in 1992 to serve as a member of the St. Ignatius Province leadership team. During her time in the Lilac City, Sr. Liz also volunteered for many community organizations until she moved to St. Joseph Residence in early 2025.
Sr. Liz was full of gratitude for all her opportunities and the many friends she made. She enjoyed nature — especially mountains and water — and was passionate about gardening, trying new recipes, and taking walks and time for prayer. She will be deeply missed.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister. She is survived by her niece, Mary Bercheid, and nephew, George Moberly, and by the Sisters in her community.
Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, M1-C, Renton, WA 98057-9016.
To view Sr. Liz’s obituary and picture, and to sign her memory book, please visit the website for Bonney-Watson Funeral Home.