Obituaries

Conshohocken native Sister Helen Marguerite Burke dies at 77

The former Sister Marguerite Helene entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Matthew Parish in 1961 and would go on to minister in the Archdioceses of Philadelphia and Washington.

St. Joseph Sister Patricia Louise Ruth dies at age 77

The former Sister Michael Louise entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Chestnut Hill, in 1962 from her home parish in Wilmington, Delaware. She ministered in Philadelphia and Wilmington.

Sister Loretta William dies; taught for 57 years

Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Loretta William Fitzpatrick died at age 84 after 66 years in religious life. She served as a full-time teacher, tutor, teacher of religious instruction and teacher's aide.

Father Francis Bartos, Vietnam War chaplain, dies at 91

The former pastor of St. Justin Martyr Parish, Narberth served as a U.S. Air Force chaplain for 20 years, earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart in Vietnam. His funeral Mass will be Sept. 24.

Renowned journalist Cokie Roberts, lifelong Catholic, dies at age 75

Cokie Roberts, a broadcast journalist and political commentator who spoke publicly about her Catholic faith and her admiration for the Sacred Heart sisters who taught her, died Sept. 17 due to complications from breast cancer.

Franciscan Sister Mary Jane Yassick dies at 85

The Phoenixville native ministered primarily in health care in the western states and in Africa before returning to the Philadelphia region for ministry as a teacher and volunteer.

Sister Ellen Cavanaugh dies; was leader in volunteer ministries

The Sister of Mercy was the first director of Mercy Volunteer Corps, executive director of the Catholic Network for Volunteer Services and was awarded by the pope and the archdiocese for her service to the church.

Sister Theresa Gmeiner, I.H.M., dies at 87 in 70th year as sister

Raised in Good Shepherd Parish in Philadelphia, she entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary as Sister Martin Marie and served mostly as a teacher.

Sister Barbara Newton dies, recalled for love of nature

The Sister of Mercy transitioned from 15 years as a teacher to the health care field, earning a degree in medical records administration with long service in Buffalo, N.Y.

Sister Rose McHale dies, was nurse at Camilla Hall for 43 years

After entering the I.H.M. congregation in 1958, she taught until 1969 when she earned a nursing degree and began to care for the ill and aged sisters until she joined them in prayer in 2012.