Obituaries
Sister Eleanor Francis dies at 95; served in Franciscan order for 73 years
Sister Eleanor Francis Filist, O.S.F., died Nov. 25. She ministered primarily in education and especially in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, where she served for nearly 50 years.
Retired pastor of Abington parish laid to rest
Father Joseph D. Bowen, 83, pastor emeritus of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Abington, died Nov. 17. “As a man of charity, his works were often unheralded," said a longtime parishioner. "He was welcomed into our homes, and indeed into our hearts.”
Sister Anne Phyllis Ryan, teacher in Philadelphia and Nigeria, dies at 95
Sister Anne Phyllis Ryan, who was a Sister of the Holy Child Jesus for 74 years, died Nov. 7 of respiratory failure at Holy Child Center in Rosemont. She was 95. The daughter of Ann (Anderson) and Joseph Ryan, Sister Anne Phyllis was born in Rosemont and was the eldest of two children. After graduating […]
New York native, gifted mathematician, Sister Elinor Callanan dies at 93
Sister Elinor Callanan (Mother Dolores Mary), who was a Sister of the Holy Child Jesus for 61 years, died Nov. 4 in Rosemont at the age of 93.
Franciscan Sister Ann Amrhein, longtime teacher in Harrisburg, Philadelphia
Sister Anne Amrhein, O.S.F., 87, (formerly Sister John Casimir) died Oct. 24 in Assisi House, Aston. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 66 years. Sister Anne was born in Baltimore where she was a member of St. Elizabeth Parish and a graduate of the Catholic High […]
Sister Apollonia Morelli dies at 97, ministered for many years in N.J.
Sister Apollonia Morelli, O.S.F., 97, died Oct. 21 in Assisi House, Aston. Born Anna Morelli, she was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and later moved to Jersey City, N.J., where she was a member of St. Aedan Parish and a graduate of St. Dominic Academy. In 1931 she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Ringwood, a congregation […]
Franciscan Sister Gabriel Lee, taught nearly 60 years in Trenton, Harrisburg dioceses
Sister Gabriel Lee, O.S.F., died Oct. 21 at the age of 90. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 68 years. Sister Gabriel was born in Philadelphia, where she was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish and a graduate of John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls […]
Sister Catherine Donohue, S.S.J., served as spiritual director
One of eight children born to Joseph and Mary Donohue, Kitty grew up in Immaculate Conception Parish in Jenkintown and attended the parish grade school and John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School. Her pastor encouraged young Kitty to consider religious life. Even at an early age, Kitty gave witness to her growing deep faith. […]
Sister Mary Waldron, S.S.J., was immigrant from England
Sister Mary Waldron, formerly known as Sister Ann Gabriel, died Oct. 15 at St. Joseph Villa, Flourtown. Her funeral followed on Oct. 22. Sister Mary was born in England to an English mother and an Irish father. Her parents and two siblings found their way to Camden, N.J., where Mary grew up and attended Camden […]
Sister Maria Barbara Danko, I.H.M., taught in Philadelphia, Allentown diocese
Sister Maria Barbara Danko, I.H.M., formerly Mary A. Danko, died Oct. 11 in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, in the 79th year of her religious life. She was 96 years old. Born in Connecticut, Sister Maria Barbara entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1935 from St. Cyril Parish […]