Obituaries
Sister Judith Ann Moeller, special ed teacher, dies at 73
The former Sister Martha Francis was an I.H.M. sister for 55 years. She earned her master's in special education and was a principal of both St. Lucy and Our Lady of Confidence Schools.
Brother Emery Mollenhauer, long-time La Salle U. leader, dies
In his 52 years at the La Salle as a professor and administrator, the Southwest Philadelphia native aided the university's growth and led the admission of women on the campus.
Father Daniel Dougherty dies at 78; was parish priest for 50 years
The native of West Philadelphia's Transfiguration Parish, he would serve at five parishes in the Philadelphia Archdiocese and on the faculty at Bishop Shanahan High School.
Deacon Stephen Hopkins of St. Benedict, St. Athanasius dies at 89
Among the first class of Black men ordained as permanent deacons in the Philadelphia Archdiocese in 1982, Deacon Hopkins had fought in the Korean conflict in the Army.
Human rights advocate Sister Dianna Ortiz dies after brief illness
The Ursuline sister was teaching indigenous children in Guatemala in 1989 when she was abducted and tortured during the country's brutal civil war. She died Feb. 19, one week after the discovery of inoperable cancer.
Sister Carol Marie Repholz dies; was longtime St. Hubert’s teacher
The I.H.M. sister served at the Northeast Philadelphia Catholic high school for girls for 28 years, and taught at other high schools in the Philadelphia area and beyond.
Sister M. Ryszarda Kopec, chef for 2 Philadelphia cardinals, dies at 93
The Little Servant Sister of the Immaculate Conception was dietician in Poland when she came to New Jersey in 1984, then became the chef at the residence of Cardinals John Krol and Anthony Bevilacqua.
Sister Phyllis Ann DiRenzo, I.H.M., dies at 70 from COVID-19
The former Sister Rose David was in the 51st year as a Sister Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She taught at several schools, was a pastoral minister and hospital chaplain.
Sister Mary Jane Daily dies at 84, was Sister of St. Joseph for 66 years
The former Sister Michael Lawrence ministered in the Dioceses of Allentown and Camden, and the Archdioceses of Newark, Philadelphia and Washington.
Sister Hildegard Grogan dies, was health care leader
The native of St. Raymond Parish in Philadelphia became a Franciscan sister, earned three nursing degrees and served as a nurse, professor and hospital vice president.