Obituaries
Franciscan sister dies after 19 years in prayer ministry
Sister Francis Carmel Gonzon, O.S.F., 71, died in Aston. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 49 years.
Franciscan Sister Janice Bahl, serving in schools and parishes, dies
The Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia served 48 of her 50 years in the congregation in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, ministering in education and parish services.
Msgr. Bartholomew O’Brien, humble and humorous, dies at 76
The former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Philadelphia is remembered for his simplicity, musical gifts and pastoral wisdom, by younger priests who served with him.
Deacon Albert George of South Philadelphia dies at 66
The permanent deacon and retired Boeing specialist had a saying he and his wife shared: “Each for the other and both for the Lord.” Those were the last words the couple spoke before he died.
Sister Rose Spingler, IH.M., longtime Cardinal Dougherty teacher, dies
The religious sister ministered for 57 years with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, mostly in high schools.
Sister Eleanor Shields, teacher and principal, dies at 92
The Sister of St. Joseph was a Philadelphia native who taught in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and in other Catholic schools in the region during her 70 years of religious life.
Sister Philip Marie Wendel, I.H.M., dies at age 94
The sister from Lancaster, Pa., taught in schools throughout eastern Pennsylvania and Miami during her 76 years of religious life.
Sister Marita Catherine Leinmiller dies at age 86
The I.H.M. sister taught in Catholic schools in the Philadelphia Archdiocese and served as a pastoral minister in a New Jersey parish for 20 years.
Sister Mary Appolonia Matijasic, I.H.M., dies at 93
Sister Mary taught for 40 years at Immaculata University, as well as in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Diocese of Allentown, and Chile.
Father Stephen White, civil lawyer and parish priest, dies at 62
Ordained in 1986 and known for his "brilliant" mind and ability to weave old songs into his homilies, he had been retired due to health reasons.