Posted October 28, 2013

Sister Gabriel Lee, O.S.F., died Oct. 21 at the age of 90. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 68 years.

Sister Gabriel was born in Philadelphia, where she was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish and a graduate of John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School. She entered the congregation in 1942 and professed her first vows in 1945. She earned a B.S. in education from Villanova University in 1962 and an M.A. in religious education in 1974 from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. She ministered in elementary education and after her retirement worked as a school librarian.

Sister Gabriel ministered in the Diocese of Trenton for 47 years. She taught at St. Rose of Lima School in Freehold from 1945-1952 and again from 1988-1990. In Trenton she taught at St. Anthony School (1956-1964), St. Raphael School (1980-1988), and Holy Angels School (1972-1980). She returned to Holy Angels as a visual aids coordinator from 1990-2001. Sister Gabriel also ministered as a library assistant at All Saints School in Burlington from 2001-2004.

Sister Gabriel’s 12 years of ministry in the Diocese of Harrisburg included teaching at St. Gertrude School in Lebanon (1952-1955) and St. Joseph School in York (1955-1956, 1964-1972).

In 2004 Sister Gabriel moved to Portiuncula Convent in Aston, volunteering with the retired sisters at Assisi House. In 2013 she became a resident of Assisi House and served in prayer ministry until her death.

The funeral Mass was celebrated Friday, Oct. 25 at Our Lady of Angels Convent Chapel, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston. Burial was in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston.

Sister Gabriel is survived by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.