Obituaries
Sister Marian Russo, business educator, dies at 76
The Philadelphia native was an Adorer of the Blood of Christ and earned bachelors and graduate degrees as she taught in schools mostly in Pennsylvania.
Mary Higgins Clark had enduring bond with worldwide readership
The best-selling author and faithful parishioner known as the "queen of suspense" to her millions of readers, died of natural causes in Naples, Florida, Jan. 31. She was 92.
Sister Ruth Ruster dies, was convert then religious for 66 years
After her family moved to Philadelphia and entered school, she converted to Catholicism at age 10. She later entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and served until her death at 82.
Sister Mary O’Connor, longtime grade school teacher, dies
The I.H.M. sister attended Most Blessed Sacrament School and graduated from West Catholic High School before entering religious life, in which she taught and mentored for 57 years.
Sister Joseph Francis Stauffer, I.H.M., dies at 92
After graduating from West Catholic Girls High School in 1944, she would teach in elementary school as an I.H.M. sister for 37 years, then serve another 17 years at Little Flower High School.
Sister Gertrude Provost dies at 91; had served in Pakistan
The Wisconsin native and Medical Mission Sister earned degrees in nursing and theology and served for many years throughout the world.
Franciscan Sister William Romen dies at 78
The West Catholic High School grad worked for a time before entering the Franciscan Sisters in 1963. She would minister for 57 years, 34 in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.
Sister Marian Frantz, teacher and leader, dies at 84
In her 66 years of service with the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sister Marian was a longtime teacher and represented women religious in two dioceses.
Sister Mary Sheila Foy, former principal, dies at 80
The native of St. Cecilia Parish in Philadelphia was an I.H.M. sister for 63 years, having led Archbishop Prendergast High School for Girls and St. Maria Goretti High School for Girls, among many other positions.
Sister Mary Elizabeth Cawley, I.H.M., dies at 90
After entering the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1947 and taking the religious name Sister Marita Denise, she taught French since 1953 in Catholic schools including in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.