Obituaries
Longtime music teacher in Philadelphia schools dies at 74
Sister Regina Maria Gormley, S.S.J., earned graduate degrees in music education from Temple University and Catholic University of America before serving in liturgical music for much of her 56 years in ministry.
Sister Mary Patricia McCrane, S.S.J., dies at age 85
The Sister of St. Joseph ministered for 66 years in the congregation primarily as a teacher in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and neighboring dioceses.
St. Joseph Sister marked 73 years in religious life
Sister Marie Clare Kleschick, S.S.J., age 91, was primarily a high school teacher in her long ministry. She had earned a graduate degree in English literature from the University of Notre Dame.
Sister Mary Dolores Malecka, teacher at high schools and college, dies at 85
Born and raised in Philadelphia before joining the Sisters of St. Joseph, she taught math in schools of the Philadelphia Archdiocese for most of her 68 years in active ministry.
Holy Child Sister Ruth McCarthy dies at 92; was beloved teacher
Well known by her religious name Mother Louis Mary, she still skied well into her 70s and for decades maintained friendships with many of her former students at Archbishop Carroll High School and Holy Spirit School.
Msgr. Nace, former finance officer for archdiocese, dies at age 88
While he served laudably as a financial administrator, Msgr. Arthur Nace's real passion was for direct ministry. "He would go anywhere at any time of day or night to comfort and minister to the sick,” said a friend.
Father Francis Piro, correspondent for Vatican newspaper, dies at 84
A native of the Calabria region of Italy, the priest served many Philadelphia parishes but his chief work was reporting on the American Church in Italian for the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano.
Father Edward Cahill, known as a dynamic preacher, dies at 82
The pastor emeritus of Holy Cross Parish, Springfield, was also a former pastor of Visitation B.V.M. Parish in Philadelphia, where he encouraged vocations. He was loved in all the parishes he served, friends said.
Msgr. Thomas Kelley, retired pastor of St. Anne Parish, dies at 93
After a long ministry of parish assignments and after reviving the annual novena to St. Anne at the Port Richmond Parish, Msgr. Kelley spent 18 years at St. Matthew Parish, longer than any of his assignments.
Foundress of order of women religious dies at Mass honoring her vocation
Mother Rosemae Pender, 94, foundress of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, died unexpectedly during a Mass of Thanksgiving for Consecrated Life to honor her 75 years of consecrated life.