Obituaries
Sister Regina Mary Meehan, teacher in 6 dioceses on East Coast, dies at 81
She was in the 63rd year of her religious life in the Sisters of St. Joseph Chestnut Hill, having ministered as a longtime teacher in Catholic schools.
Franciscan Sister Theresa Kane, primarily a teacher, dies at age 87
The Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia was a member of the congregation for 66 years. She ministered mostly in the Baltimore Archdiocese where she was an honored and beloved Catholic school teacher.
Norma McCorvey, plaintiff in Roe ruling who later became pro-life, dies
Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff "Jane Roe" in the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion virtually on demand, died Feb. 18 at an assisted-living facility in Katy, Texas.
Michael Novak, noted theologian, philosopher and author, dies at 83
UPDATED - Michael Novak, a Catholic philosopher, theologian and author who was highly regarded for his religious scholarship and intellectual independence, died Feb. 17 at his home in Washington.
Deacon Philip Heaney laid to rest from Maternity Parish in NE Phila.
Ordained in 1996 and married for 52 years, the deacon was an accountant by trade but “if anyone asked him what his career was, he probably would have said deacon,” his son said. He died Feb. 7 at age 78.
Bill Peffley, Catholic Shop owner and Legion of Mary leader, dies at 87
William C. “Bill” Peffley Jr. owned, along with his wife Mary, a prosperous Catholic goods store in Norristown. A friend of Legion of Mary founder Frank Duff, Peffley led the Legions Philadelphia chapter for many years.
Msgr. Richard Skelly, retired pastor of Morton parish, dies at 89
Named pastor emeritus of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in 2003, the priest is remembered as a wise shepherd for his parishioners and a good host for his friends.
Bishop Lohmuller: A long, rich life in service to the church
At his death last week at 97, the retired bishop was the oldest in the U.S. and longest serving priest in Philadelphia. "His purpose in life was to serve the church,” said a friend. Read his full obituary ahead of the funeral on Wednesday.
Oldest deacon in archdiocese dies at 93; ministered ‘to the very end’
Known as the "dean of deacons," Deacon Lawrence P. Froio was a permanent deacon at St. Patrick Parish in Malvern for almost three decades until his retirement just two years ago. He died only days after making Communion calls to a hospital.
Franciscan sister with varied social ministry assignments dies at 85
Sister Phyllis Ann Greco, O.S.F., was a Massachusetts native who taught in the Philadelphia Archdiocese for 20 years and used her master's in social work at several eastern dioceses.