Obituaries
Longtime teacher Sister Maria Francina Travis dies at 96
The Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary originally from St. Agnes in West Chester spent 63 years teaching in Catholic elementary schools among her 75 years of religious life.
Award-winning veteran Catholic journalist Gerald ‘Jerry’ Costello dies
A reporter, columnist, book author and founding editor of three newspapers including Catholic New York, Costello's writing informed readers about international, national and local Catholic news for over 60 years.
Sister Rita Josepha King, S.S.J., dies at 89
After attending Most Blessed Sacrament School and West Catholic High School in West Philadelphia, the former Joan Marie Ann King entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1951.
Msgr. James McDonough, pastor and leader, dies at 89
The West Philadelphia native was ordained in 1957 and served as a director of several archdiocesan offices, a regional vicar and pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish, Lansdale.
Sister Mary Theresa McFadden dies at 90
The Sister of Notre Dame de Namur was a Philadelphia native who ministered mostly in Maryland as a teacher, retreat guide and parish pastoral worker.
Sister Agnes Borkowski, O.S.F., dies at 93
A native of Baltimore and Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 72 years, the former Sister Walter Josephine ministered primarily in child care, elementary education and health care.
Sister Saint Urban O’Donnell, S.S.J., dies at 95
One of 14 children of a family in Bethlehem, Pa., the former Margaret M. O'Donnell entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1945.
Sister Mary Goodbody, S.S.J., 92, dies at St. Joseph Villa
Formerly Sister Rita Margaret, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from Linwood, Delaware County in 1947 and would serve in four dioceses, including the Philadelphia Archdiocese.
Sister Marie Cecile Iwetz, S.S.J., dies at 104
Formerly Kathryn Iwetz, she was in her 86th year as a Sister of St. Joseph, serving in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Newark Archdiocese.
Sister Regina Immaculata Monaghan, S.S.J., dies at 86
The former Leanore Marie Monaghan of St. Andrew in Drexel Hill was a Sister of St. Joseph for 68 years, serving in five dioceses including the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.