Sister Mary Ann Shambo, O.S.F., formerly Sister Judith Marie, 78, died April 19 in Assisi House. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 55 years. Sister Mary Ann was born in Stiles, Pa., and she entered the congregation in 1953 and professed her first vows in 1956. A graduate of Central Catholic High School in Allentown, Sister Mary Ann earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s in spirituality and theology.
Sister Mary Ann ministered for 30 years in the Diocese of Camden in the area of adult faith formation. Together with her friend, Sister Barbara Beck, she co-founded a spirituality/evangelization program which they carried out in various parishes in the diocese. She continued her ministry in social services and healthcare administration at Cape May Care Center and Crest Haven Nursing Home, in Cape May Courthouse, N.J. For the past 11 years Sister Mary Ann worked as a consultant and educator at Excellence in Caring.
She also served 11 years in the Diocese of Allentown in education and was the provincial for the former St. Anthony Province in Trenton for four years. Sister Mary Ann spent seven years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia teaching at St. Elizabeth School and ministering at St. Agnes Medical Center.
Sister Mary Ann is survived by a brother, Richard Shambo, nieces, a nephew, cousins, and by her Franciscan family.
Her funeral Mass was celebrated April 24 in Assisi House in Aston. Interment was in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery.
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