Posted October 30, 2008

Compiled by
Angel Arrington

Sister M. Cecilia DiDonato, I.H.M.
Sister M. Cecilia DiDonato I.H.M., formerly Sister Thomas Matthew, died suddenly on Oct. 6, 2008 at Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, Ga. She was born in Philadelphia and later entered the congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1967 and she professed her vows in 1970. For several years, she taught in the elementary schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and also,the Diocese of Arlington and Richmond, Va., Trenton, N.J.; San Jose, Calif.; Allentown, Pa., and most recently, the Diocese of Savannah, Ga. She is predeceased by her father, Francis. The funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 13 at Camilla Hall. She is survived by her mother, Winifred Burke DiDonato; her sisters, Winifred, Lorraine, Donna and Stephanie; her brothers, Frank, Thomas, William, Matthey are Richard, several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and the members of her religious community.

Sister Mary of the Holy Child O’Neill, I.H.M.
Sister Mary of the Holy Child O’ Neill, I.H.M., formerly Sister Anne M. O’Neill, died on Oct. 9, 2008 at Paoli Memorial Hospital. She was born in Philadelphia and entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1950, professing her vows in 1952. She taught at various elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In 1984, she was assigned to Archbishop Prendergast High School where she served as assistant in the activities office. She later retired to Camilla Hall where her primary ministry was prayer. She is predeceased by her parents, William and Anna Kirlin O’Neill; her brothers William and John and her sister, Kathleen. The funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 17 at Camilla Hall. Interment followed in Immaculata Cemetery. She is survived by her brother, James; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and four cousins in religion, Sister Mary Imelda, I.H.M., Sister Maria Francine, I.H.M., Sister Suzanne McRae, I.H.M., Sarah Van Anglen, I.H.M. postulant, along with members of her religious community.

Anna M. DiSabatino
Anna M. DiSabatino died on Sept. 19, 2008 at the Golden Living Center in Phoenixville. She was 103. She was born in Phoenixville to the late John and Mary (Ciallella) Chico. She was a homemaker, known to be a great cook and frequently worked with her husband at his business. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing and knitting. She is predeceased by a granddaughter, Mary Ann; her brother, Anthony; her sisters Lena, Christina, Emma, Rose and Margaret. The funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 24 at St. Joseph Church, Spring City. Burial followed at St. Ann Cemetery. She is survived by two sons, Samuel and John; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

Victoria Piechocki
Victoria Piechocki (nee Kolakowski) died on Oct. 17, 2008. She was the wife of the late John. S. and sister of Laura E. Zaloga and Julian Kolakowski. She is survived by nieces, nephews and numerous family members. A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 24 at St. Mary Manor, Lansdale. Interment followed at St. Peter Cemetery.

Sister Marion Jeanne Bell, I.H.M.
Sister Marion Jeanne Bell, I.H.M., died of pneumonia on Oct. 9, 2008 at Camilla Hall. She was the daughter of the late William and Henrietta Pigeon Bell and was an associate professor of foods and nutrition at Immaculata University. During her years at Immaculata, she served as director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics, chair of the Home Economics Department, director of Continuing Education and administrator of the Dietary Manager’s Correspondence Course. She also served on the academic policy committee, graduate program committee, Friday task force, student life committee and faculty incentive evaluation committee. As an educator, she held memberships in the American, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Dietetic Associations and the Philadelphia-South Jersey chapter of the American Society for Healthcare Food Service Administrators, where the annual keynote address was named in her honor. Before joining Immaculata’s faculty, she taught at John W. Hallahan High School for Girls and Villa Maria Academy. She received her bachelor’s degree in home economics from Immaculata College and her master’s degree in home economics from Drexel University. As an educator and mentor, she set a high standard for all students and colleagues, her dedication to the students was said to be unparalleled. The funeral Mass was celebrated on Oct. 15 at Camilla Hall. Interment followed in Immaculata Cemetery. She is survived by her sister, Dorothy; three nephews, Donald, John and Charles; one grandnephew and grandniece and members of her religious community.