Obituaries

Deacon Joseph Upcavage, serving Levittown parish, dies at 87

The permanent deacon, originally from Schuylkill County, was ordained in 1996 and assigned to Queen of the Universe Parish where he and his wife of 61 years raised their family.

Sister Mary of Peace Slater, 96, dies in 72nd year of religious life

The native of Incarnation of Our Lord Parish in Philadelphia entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1946. She taught in secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Harrisburg.

St. Joseph Sister Mary Ann Miller dies at 83; served in 5 dioceses

The Allentown native entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1951 then served since 1959 in education.

Sister Mary Richard Donahue, 91, dies in Camilla Hall

The Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was a member of the congregation for 65 years, teaching and leading schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Diocese of Charleston.

Well-known Catholic TV host Father Apostoli dies at 75

Father Andrew Apostoli, founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and an EWTN host, author and retreat master, died in his New York Friary Dec. 13.

Oregon native Sister Lucy, S.H.C.J., dies at 80 in Rosemont

Sister Lucy Malarkey, S.H.C.J. (formerly Mother Daniel Mary), taught molecular biology, practiced pastoral ministry and directed Catholic spirituality during her 57 years as a Sister of the Holy Child Jesus.

Sister Elizabeth Gehrman dies, was Holy Child Sister for 68 years

The Philadelphia native first met the Holy Child Sisters as a student at West Catholic High School for Girls and joined the order in 1946. After years of ministry on both coasts, she died Dec. 2 at age 90.

Deacon Raymond Wellbank, formerly serving at Lansdale parish, dies

The permanent deacon ordained in 2007 for Philadelphia had been serving in the Archdiocese of Boston since his 2015 retirement. He died suddenly Dec. 9 at age 66 in Gloucester, Mass., where he resided.

Longtime teacher in Trenton Catholic schools dies at 75

Franciscan Sister Daniel Marie McCarthy, a native of County Cork, Ireland, ministered in elementary education for most of her 52 years in religious life.

Sister Florence Sponga dies at 95

The West Philadelphia native and former Sister Stanislaus was a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill for 75 years, ministering in four dioceses, including Philadelphia.