Posted August 3, 2026

Sister Marie Olwell SSJ, (formerly S. Anita Bernadette,) age 96, died on June 16, 2026, at Saint Joseph Villa.

The daughter of the late Joseph and Catherine (nee Stretch) Olwell, she attended St. Ann Grade School in Wildwood, NJ and Mt. St. Joseph Academy.

In September 1947 she entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Chestnut Hill, and professed her final vows in 1972.

Sister Marie ministered in the dioceses of Baltimore, Camden, Harrisburg and Philadelphia.

She is preceded in death by her brother Joseph and her sister Kathleen Olwell SSJ. She is survived by her brother Edward, her sister Patricia Hoglund, many nieces, nephews, and their extended families. She is also survived by members of her Congregation, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia.

Friends are invited to Saint Joseph Villa on Monday, September 21, 2026, beginning at 9:30 AM. A Mass will follow at 10:30 AM. Services will be live-streamed from the Saint Joseph Villa website www.stjosephvilla.org.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sister’s name to Saint Joseph Villa, 110 W. Wissahickon Ave., Flourtown, PA 19031.