Posted November 21, 2023

Sister Imelda Dooley, OSF (formerly Sister Imelda Catherine), 91, died in Assisi House on Monday, November 20, 2023. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 72 years. Sister Imelda was born in Galway, Ireland. She entered the congregation in 1946 and professed her first vows in 1951. Sister Imelda earned a B.A. in English from Neumann University in 1974 and an M.A. in Religious Education from St. Charles Seminary in 1984. She ministered primarily in elementary education and parish ministry.

Sister Imelda ministered for 33 years in the Diocese of Trenton. She taught at Holy Angels School, Blessed Sacrament School, St. Anthony School, and McCorriston High School—all in Trenton. She also taught at St. Leo the Great School in Lincroft and St. Rose of Lima School in Freehold. During her time at St. Mary of the Lake School in Medford, Sister Imelda served as religion coordinator. Her work in parish ministry took her to Mary Mother of God Parish in Hillsborough and St. John the Baptist Parish in Allentown, New Jersey.

Sister Imelda also ministered for 15 years in the Diocese of Wilmington. She taught at Corpus Christi School in Elsmere and served as director of religious education at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Parish. During her five years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Sister Imelda taught at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Middle River and St. Joseph School in Fullerton.

During most of her 13 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Sister Imelda lived at Our Lady of Angels Convent, the congregation’s motherhouse in Aston, where she served as a volunteer at the Franciscan Spiritual Center and the Franciscan Foundation Office. In 2018 she moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence, where she served in prayer and hospitality until her death.

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, Aston, Pennsylvania, 19014 on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M. followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Imelda is survived by 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.