“Memoirs of an Ex-Nun” Author to speak in Coloma

On Tuesday, May 15, at 7:00pm, the North Berrien Historical Museum will host a presentation by author and Watervliet resident Patricia O’Donnell-Gibson, whose book The Red Skirt: Memoirs of an Ex-Nun was published in 2011.  In a talk titled “Writing The Red Skirt,” O’Donnell-Gibson will discuss her writing process, focusing on memories from a five-year period of her life, as well as ultimately publishing her memoirs as a book.  The program is free to attend and will be followed by refreshments.

Patricia O’Donnell-Gibson has also authored several published poems, and was a teacher of English and Literature until her retirement in 2002.  She is on the Author’s Committee for the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival in Dowagiac and advisor for the “Ladies of the Lake” Book Club on Paw Paw Lake.  According to the book’s website, The Red Skirt recounts “the five years she spent as an Adrian Dominican nun struggling to balance her desire for a secular life with her great fear of turning her back on God's call.”  Visit www.patriciaodonnellgibson.com to learn more about The Red Skirt, order the book, or see a list of local bookstores carrying the book.

The North Berrien Historical Museum is located at 300 Coloma Avenue, on Red Arrow Highway across from Coloma High School.  The museum is now open for summer hours through September, Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm.  Admission is free.