Posted October 27, 2023

Sister Theresa Regina Stalnaker, OSF, 99, died in Assisi House on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. Sister Theresa was born Elizabeth Stalnaker in Coalton, West Virginia, where she was a member of St. Patrick’s Church and a graduate of Coalton High School. In 1958 she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Ringwood, a congregation which later merged with the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, and professed her first vows in 1959. She had been a professed member of the congregation for 64 years. Sister Theresa Regina earned a B.S. in from Seton Hall University.  She ministered primarily in education and pastoral care.

Sister Theresa Regina ministered for over 20 years in the Diocese of Brooklyn where she served at Holy Family School and Parish from 1971-1992. She also taught at St. Benedict School in the diocese.

In the Diocese of Paterson, Sister Theresa Regina began her ministry in education at St. Catherine of Bologna School in Ringwood where she later returned and taught for over 15 years. During this time, Sister Theresa also served as a pastoral visitor at Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plains. Additionally, she taught at Queen of Peace School in Hewitt, and served in congregational ministry at Mount St. Francis in Ringwood in various capacities, including retreat center administrator, developmental director, a member of the finance office, and worked in the convent gift shop.

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Sister Theresa served as a volunteer with the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Aston for six years. In 2021she moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

All services will be held in Assisi House on ­­­Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Services will be livestreamed. Viewing at 9:30 A.M. followed by Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Theresa Regina is survived by her sister, Catherine Hudio, her nieces and nephews, and her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.