The daughter of the late Daniel Joseph and Catherine McCarthy Buckley, she was born July 27, 1912 in Rosendale, New York.

Sister Marie Gerard entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh on September 8, 1944, made her First Profession June 24, 1946, and Final Profession August 25, 1949.

Ministry history:

Sister Marie Gerard began her ministry years as a switchboard operator at Mt. St. Mary Academy in Newburgh (1946-47). From 1947-52, she was supervisor of students at Holy Rosary Academy in New York City. From 1952-58, she taught at Saint Paul School in Jersey City, New Jersey and then at Assumption School in Fairfield, Connecticut from 1958-68. From 1968-72, she was infirmary administrator at Mt. St. Mary Convent in Newburgh. From 1972-1994, Sister Marie Gerard provided a variety of pastoral and personal care services for Siena Hall residents at the Dominican Sisters of Hope Center in Newburgh, New York.