Obituaries
Sister Mary Torrieri, I.H.M., dies at 99
A native of Italy, the onetime South Philadelphia parishioner would serve for 78 years as a Sister Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in education and Hispanic ministry.
Sister Maureen Widmeier, teacher and social minister, dies at 97
Well known as Mother Maureen, the Sister of the Holy Child Jesus was well educated and lived a life of varied service both as a teacher and social justice worker in Philadelphia.
Sister Jean Frances Levenstein dies at age 89
The Sister of St. Joseph of Philadelphia was in her 70th year of religious life. She had served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Archdiocese of Newark.
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.