Obituaries

Immaculate Heart Sister Catherine Moehrle dies at 95; taught 1st grade for 50 years

Sister Catherine Elizabeth Moehrle, formerly Sister Mary Anthony, I.H.M., died March 3 in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, in the 67th year of her religious life. She was 95 years old. Born in Philadelphia, Sister Catherine entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1945 from St. Raymond Parish, Philadelphia, and […]

Father Maher, ordained late in life and known for kindness, is laid to rest

Father Edmund J. Maher, 84, whose vocation to the priesthood came to fruition later in life, died Feb. 26. Father Maher was born in New York City, the son of the late Bernard J. and Evelyn M. (Feeney) Maher. He attended Niagara University, La Salle College and Temple University, and taught social science and history […]

Father Gallagher, a PhD scholar, teacher and pastor, dies at 81

Father John P. Gallagher, 81, pastor emeritus of St. John Baptist Vianney Parish in Gladwyne, died Feb. 24. Born in Philadelphia the son of the late James J. and Ann (McLaughlin) Gallagher he attended St. William School and Northeast Catholic High before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Christian Brother Patrick Ellis, former La Salle and Catholic U president, dies

Brother Patrick Ellis, F.S.C., 84,  a former president of both La Salle University and the Catholic University of America, died Feb. 21 in a Christian Brothers nursing home in Lincroft, N.J. Born in Baltimore as Harry James Ellis Jr., he joined the De La Salle Christian Brothers after graduation from Calvert Hall College High School, and received the name in religion Brother Felician Patrick.

Dr. Billings dies at 95; she helped develop widely used method of NFP

MELBOURNE, Australia (CNS) — Dr. Evelyn Billings, who with her husband, John, pioneered research that led them to develop a form of natural family planning supported by the Catholic Church, died Feb. 16 after a short illness. She was 95. The Australian pediatrician joined her physician-husband’s team in 1965 as he was researching a more […]

Sister Honora Mary Ivers, I.H.M., dies at 92, had long service in grade schools of Archdiocese

Sister Honora Mary, formerly Mary Kathryn Ivers, died in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, in the 74th year of her religious life. She was 92 years old. Born in Philadelphia, Sister Honora Mary entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1939 from St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bensalem and professed […]

Sister Marie Albert Kunberger, I.H.M., former Immaculata department chair, dies at 82

Sister Marie Albert, formerly Elizabeth M. Kunberger, died suddenly Jan. 20 in Paoli Memorial Hospital. She was 82 and in the 60th year of her religious life. Born in Philadelphia, Sister Marie Albert entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1953 from St. Gabriel Parish in Philadelphia, and […]

Sister Virginia Stallings, S.S.N.D., longtime teacher, dies at 92

Sister Virginia Stallings, S.S.N.D., who taught elementary and junior high school grades in four states for more than 25 years before becoming a high school librarian at the Institute of Notre Dame in Baltimore, died Jan. 27 at Maria Health Care Center in Baltimore. She was 92 years old and had recently celebrated her 70th […]

Known for keeping many friendships, Msgr. Degnan dies at 91

Born Aug. 20, 1921 in Norristown, the son of the late Henry B. and Elizabeth E. (Boyle) Degnan, he attended St. Patrick School in Norristown and West Catholic High School before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He was ordained May 22, 1948 by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick, and his first assignment was as parochial vicar […]

Sister Maria Angelica McGovern, I.H.M., dies at 86

Sister Maria Angelica, I.H.M., formerly Mary Catherine McGovern, died Jan. 19 in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, in the 68th year of her religious life. She was 86 years old. Born in Philadelphia, Sister Maria Angelica entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1944 from Nativity B.V. M. Parish in […]