Obituaries
Father DeSimone, scholar on early church fathers, dies at 90
Augustinian Father Russell J. DeSimone died Dec. 29. Known internationally as a Patristic scholar, he was also the brother of retired Philadelphia Auxiliary Bishop Louis A. DeSimone.
Sister Anita, native of Transfiguration Parish, dies at 83
Sister Anita Regina Timlin, I.H.M., died Dec. 11 in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, in the 65th year of her religious life. She taught in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Dioceses of Hartford and Camden.
Sister of St. Joseph laid to rest in Flourtown
Sister Marjorie T. Sweeney, S.S.J., formerly Sister Alice Gertrude, died Dec. 10 at age 90.
Deacon Fontanez, among first of Hispanic permanent deacons, dies at 81
Deacon Jose Fontanez is remembered as a community leader and, along with his wife Edna as "inseparable and collaborators in ministry," at the former Incarnation of our Lord Parish.
Msgr. Menna, remembered as a selfless priest, dies at 84
Msgr. Francis J. Menna, a former pastor, regional vicar and rector of Villa St. Joseph, the archdiocesan home for retired priests, died Dec. 10.
Deacon and communications professor dies at age 66
Permanent Deacon Martin P. Lomonaco was assigned to St. Agnes Parish in West Chester. He is remembered as an influential professor at Neumann University.
Retired pastor of ‘South Philadelphia’s cathedral’ dies at 94
Parishioners and fellow priests fondly recall Father Philip Barr, who was the beloved pastor of St. Edmond Parish for 16 years. He is remembered as a compassionate confessor who spent time with his extended family.
Alumna of Wayne parish, Sister Marita David Kirsch, dies at 87
A long-time Catholic school teacher, the Immaculate Heart of Mary sister also served as librarian at Immaculata University for 28 years.
Dominican sister with local ties laid to rest in Kentucky
Drexel University-educated Sister Ruth Elsner, who gave retreats at the Dominican Sisters' retreat house in Elkins Park for years, died Nov. 24 at age 88.
Father Thomas Gleeson, S.J., dies at 78 in Wernersville
The Jesuit priest held many senior administrative posts for his congregation's institutions, and was rector at the Jesuit Center in nearby Wernersville. He was a philosopher and theologian.