Aston, PA—Sister Alberta Chelius, OSF, 89, died in Assisi House on September 14. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 67 years. Sister Alberta was born in Philadelphia where she was a member of Nativity BVM Parish. Prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1939, she graduated from Hallahan High School and worked for a short time at Sears. She professed her first vows in 1941. Sister Alberta earned a B.S. in Education and an M.S. in Library Science from Villanova University. She ministered in elementary education as both a teacher and librarian. In later years she worked as a medical librarian in several hospitals. In her leisure time, Sister Alberta enjoyed traveling, reading, and crocheting.
Sister Alberta ministered for 55 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She served at St. Ludwig School (1941-1943, 1953-1955); St. Elizabeth School (1949-1952, 1955-1956); St. Stanislaus School, Lansdale (1952-1953); St. Alphonsus School (1953); Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Doylestown (1962-1963); Our Lady of Consolation School (1963-1971); Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Morton (1971-1974); St. Ignatius School, Yardley (1974-1975); and St. Maria Goretti High School (1975-1976). Her work as a medical librarian took her to St. Mary Hospital in Philadelphia (1976-1988) and to St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne (1988-2009). In September 2009 she moved to Assisi House in Aston where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
Sister Alberta also ministered in the Diocese of Allentown for seven years. She taught at St. Bartholomew School, Brockton (1943-1944); St. Francis Orphanage, Orwigsburg (1944-1946); Sacred Heart School, Allentown (1946-1947); St. John the Baptist School, Stiles (1947-1949); and St. Joseph School, Easton (1956-1957).
Additional ministry experience included teaching at St. Joseph School in Raritan, New Jersey (1957-1960) and St. Mary Home in New Bedford, Massachusetts (1960-1962).
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Wednesday, September 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 Alberta is survived by her nieces and nephews and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
