Posted November 21, 2023

Sister Mary Elizabeth Coleman, OSF, (formerly Sister Daniel Patrice) 80, died in Assisi House on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 58 years. Sister Mary was born in Winchester, Massachusetts, where she was a member of St. Ann Parish, Readville, and a graduate of Holy Trinity High School, Roxbury. She entered the congregation in 1962 and professed her first vows in 1965. She earned a BA in English from Our Lady of Angels College (now Neumann University) and a MA in Pastoral Counseling from Emmanuel College in Boston. She ministered primarily in education and social work.

Sister Mary Elizabeth spent 32 years in the Archdiocese of Boston where she began her ministry life teaching at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Lynnfield, Our Lady of Nazareth Academy in Wakefield, and Blessed Sacrament School in Walpole. She then served as a guidance counselor at St. Gregory Elementary School in Dorchester and Our Lady of Lourdes School in Jamaica Plains. She also served in parish ministry at St. Ann’s Parish in West Newbury and as a presenter of parenting programs in both Jamaica Plains and Milton.

During her 10 years of ministry in the Trenton Diocese, Sister Mary taught junior high school at St. Mary of the Lakes School in Medford, as well as at Immaculate Conception School and St. Anthony School, both in Trenton.

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Sister Mary served in local house ministry at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston for four years. In 2020 she 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, November 21 and will be livestreamed. 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. Internment of Ashes will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Mary 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.