Obituaries
Sister Mary Heenan, ministering in Phila. region, dies at 79
A sister of St. Joseph since 1960 and formerly known as Sister Joseph Constance, the native of Atlantic City served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Trenton. Funeral services will be livestreamed Aug. 5.
Native of Ireland who ministered in southern U.S. dies at 78
Sister Elizabeth Patricia Murphy, a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 59 years, was originally from County Cork, Ireland. She was a leader in education and honored for her work of 34 years in the Orlando Diocese.
Sister Janice Marie Yust, longtime nurse, dies at age 69
Since the 1990s Sister Janice had lovingly embraced her hospice/home health ministry for Holy Redeemer Hospital in Philadelphia. As a Missionary Sister of the Most Sacred of Jesus, she served as a nurse in Catholic hospitals since 1973.
Sister Mary Elizabeth Schmidt, I.H.M., dies at 82
The former Sister Margaret Joann, who was raised in Lancaster, served mostly in Catholic education for her 64 years in the I.H.M. congregation.
I.H.M. Sister Joseph Maureen Curran dies at 91
The former Dorothy Mary Curran grew up in Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in West Philadelphia and entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1949, where she served most of her 72 years of religious life in education.
Sister Barbara Colligon, I.H.M., dies at 83
The Little Flower High School grad from St. Martin of Tours Parish in Philadelphia took the name Sister Catherine William in 1958 with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She went on to teach and serve in schools from 1960 to 2016.
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.