Posted April 11, 2024

Sister Doris Johnson, OSF, (formerly Sister Joseph Marian), 84, died in Assisi House on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 64 years. Sister Doris was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of St. Madeline Parish and a graduate of Hallahan High School.  She entered the congregation in 1958 and professed her first vows in 1960.  She earned a BA in English from Neumann University (then Our Lady of Angels College), a BA in Social Work from Temple University, and an MS in Social Work from Rutgers.  She ministered primarily in education and social services and was very active in peace and justice work.

Sister Doris began her life as a sister in education, teaching for seven years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore at both Little Flower School and St. Elizabeth School. She then taught for six years in the Wilmington Diocese at Corpus Christi School and St. Patrick School. She also taught for one year at St. Ann School in Naples, Florida.

Sister Doris ministered for 39 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  She served as a drug and alcohol counselor at Crozer Chester Hospital in Chester, Media Alcoholism Center in Media, and Charter Medical Fairmount Institute in Philadelphia. She also worked for one year with Project H.O.M.E. In the early 1990s, Sister Doris began serving the congregation as director of pastoral services, attending to the health and well-being of our sisters for 19 years. She later served as a volunteer and driver.  In 2021, Sister Doris moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, Pennsylvania, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

All services will be held in Assisi House on Monday, April 15, 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. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Doris is survived by her sister-in-law Jean Johnson, 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.