Obituaries

Sister Stella Catherine Lotz dies at 89

The Sister of St. Joseph entered religious life in 1954 after graduating from Little Flower High School. She would go on to serve in four dioceses, including Philadelphia.

Sister Mary Anne Nyzio, former I.H.M. leader, dies at 80

The former Sister Therese of Carmel served as a teacher in the Philadelphia Archdiocese and several assignments in South America. She was named first councilor and regional superior for the order.

Sister Maureen Catherine Cassel, I.H.M., dies at 90

She was a school principal and convent superior at numerous locations in the Philadelphia area for all her 71 years of religious life as an Immaculate Heart sister.

Sister Judith Ann Moeller, special ed teacher, dies at 73

The former Sister Martha Francis was an I.H.M. sister for 55 years. She earned her master's in special education and was a principal of both St. Lucy and Our Lady of Confidence Schools.

Brother Emery Mollenhauer, long-time La Salle U. leader, dies

In his 52 years at the La Salle as a professor and administrator, the Southwest Philadelphia native aided the university's growth and led the admission of women on the campus.

Father Daniel Dougherty dies at 78; was parish priest for 50 years

The native of West Philadelphia's Transfiguration Parish, he would serve at five parishes in the Philadelphia Archdiocese and on the faculty at Bishop Shanahan High School.

Deacon Stephen Hopkins of St. Benedict, St. Athanasius dies at 89

Among the first class of Black men ordained as permanent deacons in the Philadelphia Archdiocese in 1982, Deacon Hopkins had fought in the Korean conflict in the Army.

Human rights advocate Sister Dianna Ortiz dies after brief illness

The Ursuline sister was teaching indigenous children in Guatemala in 1989 when she was abducted and tortured during the country's brutal civil war. She died Feb. 19, one week after the discovery of inoperable cancer.

Sister Carol Marie Repholz dies; was longtime St. Hubert’s teacher

The I.H.M. sister served at the Northeast Philadelphia Catholic high school for girls for 28 years, and taught at other high schools in the Philadelphia area and beyond.

Sister M. Ryszarda Kopec, chef for 2 Philadelphia cardinals, dies at 93

The Little Servant Sister of the Immaculate Conception was dietician in Poland when she came to New Jersey in 1984, then became the chef at the residence of Cardinals John Krol and Anthony Bevilacqua.