Posted December 18, 2024

Sister Dominica LoBianco, OSF, (formerly Sister Ignatius Mary), 80, died in Nazareth Hospital on Saturday, December 14, 2024. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 60 years. Sister Dominica was born in York, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of St. Joseph Parish and a graduate of York Catholic High School. She entered the congregation in 1962 and professed her first vows in 1965. She earned a BA in History from Neumann University and an MA in Education from Millersville University. She ministered primarily in education and pastoral ministry.

Sister Dominica ministered in education for 26 years in the Harrisburg Diocese. She taught at St. Mary School, York; Holy Trinity School, Columbia; St. Joseph School, Lancaster; and St. Joseph School, Dallastown. In 1980, she returned to her alma mater, York Catholic High School, where she taught for 13 years and was credited with creating the school’s Greensleeves magazine. She also taught at St. Anthony School in Trenton, New Jersey for two years.

Sister Dominica served in parish ministry for three years at St. John the Baptist Parish in Roswell, New Mexico, before being elected to congregational leadership in 1996. Serving in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for 24 years, Sister Dominica served on the leadership team for six years. She then worked in Hispanic ministry and as the Director of Social Service for St. Laurence Parish in Upper Darby for 18 years. She was very involved in justice and peace issues surrounding immigration, racism, human trafficking, the death penalty, and more. She served on many congregational committees and was active in numerous justice organizations.

All services will be held in Our Lady of Angels Chapel, 609 S Convent Road, Aston, on Friday, December 20, and will be live-streamed. 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 Dominica is survived by her brother Ignatius (Rick) and his partner Linda, her cousins, 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.