Obituaries
Rita Schiavone, founder of Aid For Friends, dies at 82
A social entrepreneur before it became fashionable, Schiavone started the volunteer non-profit to serve elderly and disabled shut-ins with food and companionship 43 years ago. It began at her family table with one meal.
Sister Grace Marie Stankiewicz dies at age 77
The Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary served in elementary schools in the Philadelphia Archdiocese, the Dioceses of Arlington and Metuchen and parishes in the Allentown Diocese for nearly 20 years.
Deacon Paul Hagerty dies at 87, was banker, professor and golfer
The permanent deacon ordained in 1997 served for many years at Immaculate Conception Parish in Jenkintown, where he and his wife raised their family. His son-in-law, also a deacon, will preach at the funeral Mass.
Sister Mary Jane Hicks, longtime teacher and pastoral worker, dies at 86
The Chicago native was a member of the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus for 62 years, during which she enjoyed varied teaching assignments and leadership roles in Rome and the order's provincialate in Drexel Hill.
Sister Francis Bernard Butt, I.H.M., dies at Camilla Hall
In her 58th year of religious life, Sister Francis taught in elementary and secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Dioceses of Allentown, Arlington and Richmond before she retired in 2012.
Sister Virgo Maria Werner, I.H.M., dies at 86
After teaching in schools of the Philadelphia Archdiocese for many years, she spent the next 37 years on staff at Camilla Hall, where she died. She served for 68 years in the congregation.
Deacon Lawrence Brandon of West Chester dies at age 80
The permanent deacon was ordained for the Baltimore Archdiocese before transferring to Philadelphia in 1977. He served as Newman Center chaplain at West Chester University and at St. Maximilian Parish.
Deacon John Boyle, in ministry at Holy Name Parish, dies at 74
Ordained in 2006, Deacon Boyle retired from his career with the Internal Revenue Service only a year later. He served his parish actively until last fall.
Bishop Moynihan dies; called ‘true shepherd,’ example of ‘discipleship’
Retired Bishop James M. Moynihan, who served as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse from 1995 to 2009, died March 6. He was 84.
Deacon Joseph Orlando, dies on ministry in Camden Diocese
Funeral rites for the permanent deacon who was serving in New Jersey will be celebrated Feb. 26 at his parish in Ocean City. He was ordained in 2000 for the Philadelphia Archdiocese and had worked for IBM.