Obituaries
Sister of St. Joseph Helen Cantwell dies at age 87
Born Joan Frances Cantwell in Manayunk and graduating from St. John the Baptist School and Little Flower High School, she entered religious life in 1950 and ministered for 69 years.
Sister Patricia Ann Berger, I.H.M., dies at 81
The native of Mount Carmel, Pa. enter the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1955, taking the religious name Sister Mary Philomena. In recent years she served at St. Pius X School, Broomall.
Sister Rose Andrea Loughery, S.S.J., dies at age 67
Born Cynthia R. Loughery, the graduate of St. Luke Grade School in Glenside and Mount St. Joseph Academy High School was a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph for 49 years.
Conshohocken native Sister Helen Marguerite Burke dies at 77
The former Sister Marguerite Helene entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Matthew Parish in 1961 and would go on to minister in the Archdioceses of Philadelphia and Washington.
St. Joseph Sister Patricia Louise Ruth dies at age 77
The former Sister Michael Louise entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Chestnut Hill, in 1962 from her home parish in Wilmington, Delaware. She ministered in Philadelphia and Wilmington.
Sister Loretta William dies; taught for 57 years
Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Loretta William Fitzpatrick died at age 84 after 66 years in religious life. She served as a full-time teacher, tutor, teacher of religious instruction and teacher's aide.
Father Francis Bartos, Vietnam War chaplain, dies at 91
The former pastor of St. Justin Martyr Parish, Narberth served as a U.S. Air Force chaplain for 20 years, earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart in Vietnam. His funeral Mass will be Sept. 24.
Renowned journalist Cokie Roberts, lifelong Catholic, dies at age 75
Cokie Roberts, a broadcast journalist and political commentator who spoke publicly about her Catholic faith and her admiration for the Sacred Heart sisters who taught her, died Sept. 17 due to complications from breast cancer.
Franciscan Sister Mary Jane Yassick dies at 85
The Phoenixville native ministered primarily in health care in the western states and in Africa before returning to the Philadelphia region for ministry as a teacher and volunteer.
Sister Ellen Cavanaugh dies; was leader in volunteer ministries
The Sister of Mercy was the first director of Mercy Volunteer Corps, executive director of the Catholic Network for Volunteer Services and was awarded by the pope and the archdiocese for her service to the church.