Aston, PA — Sister Agnes Joseph Lee, OSF, died in Assisi House on August 11. She would have celebrated her ninety-third birthday later this month. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for seventy-one years. Sister Agnes Joseph (Helen Catherine Lee) was born in Philadelphia, where she was a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish. Prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1933, she worked as a sales person and messenger at Lit Brothers in Philadelphia. Sister Agnes Joseph earned a B.A. in Education from Villanova and an M.S. in Education from Providence College. She ministered primarily in elementary education, both as teacher and as principal. She was named Principal of the Year by the Diocese of Trenton and also received special recognition for her years of ministry at Our Lady of the Lake School. In her leisure time she enjoyed reading.

Sister Agnes Joseph ministered in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for seventeen years. She taught at St. Benedict School (1936-1942,1948-1950), Our Lady of Consolation School (1942-1944), St. Ludwig School (1956-1958), and St. Elizabeth School (1944-1946). In 2004 she moved to Assisi House where she served in prayer ministry until her death.

Sister Agnes Joseph ministered for thirty-six years in the Diocese of Trenton. She taught at Blessed Sacrament School (1958-1963) and Immaculate Conception School (1965-1969). From 1972-1979 she served as principal of St. Raphael School. She taught at St. Mary of the Lakes School in Medford from 1969-1972 and returned there in 1987, serving as assistant principal until 2004.

Sister Agnes Joseph also served in the Archdiocese of Boston for eight years. She was principal of Our Lady of the Assumption School in Lynnfield from 1979-1987. She taught at St. Mary Home for Children in New Bedford from 1963-1965.

Sister Agnes Joseph also ministered for eight years in the Diocese of Allentown. She taught at St. Bartholomew School, Brockton (1946-1947); Holy Ghost School, Bethlehem (1947-1948); and St. Lawrence School, Catasauqua (1950-1956).

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Thursday, August 16. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Agnes Joseph is survived by nieces and nephews and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S.Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.