Posted August 28, 2024

Sister ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Doretta Egan, OSF, 97, died in Assisi House on Saturday, August 24, 2024. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 77 years. Sister Doretta was born Bridget Agnes Egan in Curramore, Headford, Co. Galway, Ireland, where she was a member of St. Mary’s Parish in Claran. She entered the congregation in 1945 and professed her first vows in 1947.  She earned a BA in History from San Diego College for Women in 1966 and a MA in religious studies from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in 1986. She ministered primarily in education and pastoral services.

Sister Doretta began her religious life serving in education ministry on the West coast.  She ministered for 15 years in the Diocese of San Bernardino where she taught at St. Edward School, Corona, and Our lady of Perpetual Help School, Riverside. She also served as principal of St. Thomas School in Riverside for three years.

She spent 14 years in the San Diego Diocese where she taught at St. Thomas School in Arlington and at St. Magdalene School in San Diego where she was both teacher and vice principal.  In Washington, Sister Doretta served as principal at St. Charles School in Spokane for three years and taught at St. Leo School in Tacoma.

On the East Coast, Sister Doretta ministered for 31 years in the Diocese of Trenton where she taught ESL at McCorristan High School and at the Haitan Center.  She served as a pastoral associate at St. Francis Medical Center and to the homebound in the neighborhood surrounding St. Clare Convent for 23 years, before serving for two years in local house ministry at St. Anthony Convent in Trenton.

In 2014 Sister Doretta 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 Wednesday, August 28, 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 Doretta is survived by her sister, Helen Low, 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.