Posted January 15, 2009

Sister Alice Ignatia Ackerman, O.S.F.
Sister Alice Ignatia Ackerman, O.S.F., died on Dec. 4, 2008. She was 88. She was born in Wilmington, Del., and later became a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 65 years. Prior to her entrance into the congregation, she graduated from P.S. DuPont High School and later earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the Catholic University of America and a master’s degree in biology from Villanova University. She ministered in education on the elementary, secondary and collegiate levels and was listed in “Who’s Who Among College Teachers.” She also served in congregational ministry. In her leisure time, she enjoyed reading books on Franciscan spirituality as well as historical novels and various periodicals. From 1973 to 1981 she served as provincial of the former Immaculate Conception Province for the Sisters of St. Francis. In 2004, she moved to the Assisi House in Aston where she served in prayer ministry until her death. A funeral Mass was celebrated Dec. 11 at the Assisi House. Interment followed at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston.She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and by her Franciscan family.

Sister Mary Claire Walsh, C.S.S.F.
Felician Sister Mary Claire Walsh, formerly Rita Ann Walsh, died Sept. 4, 2008, in Old Bridge, N.J. She was 71. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Seton Hall University and went on to teach in the Archdioceses of Baltimore and Newark and in the Dioceses of Trenton, Paterson and Metuchen, N.J. A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 9 at the Felician Sisters Infirmary Chapel, Our Lady of Lourdes Hall. Interment followed in the Felician Sisters Cemetery in Lodi, N.J. She is survived by members of her extended family.