Obituaries
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 […]
Sister Mary Paula Beierschmitt, I.H.M., acclaimed artist, dies at 72
Sister Paula Beierschmitt, I.H.M., formerly Marianna Beierschmitt, died Sept. 28 in Mary Immaculate Convent, Philadelphia, in the 55th year of her religious life. She was 72 years old.
Sister Cecile Marie, I.H.M., longtime Immaculata music professor, dies at 85
Sister Cecile Marie Phelan, I.H.M., formerly Maria Patricia Phelan, died Sept. 27 in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, in the 62nd year of her religious life. She was 85 years old.
Sister Mary Terentia, I.H.M., who served at St. Barnabas Parish, dies at 92
Sister Mary Terentia Corcoran, I.H.M., formerly Rita Ethel Corcoran, died Aug. 24 in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, in the 73rd year of her religious life. She was 92 years old.
Father McKelvey, a witty, humble priest devoted to IHM sisters, laid to rest
Father James P. McKelvey, 63, chaplain at Camilla Hall, the residence for retired Immaculate Heart Sisters in Immaculata, died suddenly on Oct. 8. Born in Phoenixville, the son of the late Raymond and Pearl (Hughes) McKelvey, he attended St. Mary of the Assumption School, Phoenixville; Bishop Kenrick High School, Norristown; Phoenixville High School and Gwynedd-Mercy […]
Deacon Coyle dies at 84; funeral rites at St. Kevin Church, Springfield
Deacon Joseph P. Coyle, a retired permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, died Tuesday, Oct. 1. Deacon Coyle was born March 29, 1929, in Philadelphia. He attended Our Mother of Sorrows School, St. Rose of Lima School and St. Thomas More High School, Philadelphia. He also attended St. Joseph’s University. Deacon Coyle was ordained […]
Father Freeman, longtime Newman chaplain, dies at 65
Father John A. Freeman, 65, a former pastor of St. John Fisher Parish in Boothwyn and former Newman Center chaplain, died Sept. 21. He was Newman chaplain for Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges for 15 years. He also taught on the adjunct faculty of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He was appointed pastor of St. John Fisher Parish in 2004 and retired for reasons of health in 2011.