Aston, PA-Sister Andrew Persing, OSF, died in Assisi House on February 29. She was eighty-five years of age and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for sixty-two years. Sister Andrew (Lily May Persing) was born in Dallastown, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of St. Joseph Parish. She graduated from York Catholic High School and worked at Colonial Products Company in Dallastown and at Black’s Hosiery in York. She entered the congregation in 1943 and professed her first vows in 1946. Sister Andrew ministered primarily in healthcare. She studied nursing and earned her R.N. at St. Mary Hospital in Philadelphia. She also earned a B.S N. from Villanova University and an M.S.N. in Psychiatric Nursing from the Catholic University of America. During her years in healthcare, Sister Andrew ministered as a nursing supervisor and a nursing instructor. In later years she also served as congregational archivist for the Sisters of St. Francis. Her leisure activities included doing woodcarving and oshibana (a Japanese art form that creates pictures from pressed flowers). She enjoyed visiting museums and historic sites, watching baseball games, and listening to symphonic concerts. She also enjoyed singing in the choir.
Sister Andrew ministered for twenty-three years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She worked at St. Mary Hospital (1946-1954, 1983-1985). From 1985-1987 she served as Coordinator of Mission and Ministry at St. Agnes Medical Center. She served as congregational archivist for the Sisters of St. Francis from 1988-2003. She continued living at Our Lady of Angels Convent until 2004 when she moved to Assisi House. She served in prayer ministry there until her death.
Sister Andrew ministered for fifteen years at St. Francis Medical Center in the Diocese of Trenton (1956-1970, 1987-1988). During those years she served as supervisor of the outpatient department, as clinical instructor, and as a patient advocate in the emergency room. She also did some part-time work at Trenton State Hospital.
Sister Andrew ministered for ten years in the Diocese of Harisburg. From 1972-1982 she served as projector director at St. Joseph Hospital in Lancaster.
From 1970-1972 Sister Andrew served as Director of Nursing at St. Joseph Medical Center School of Nursing in Towson, Maryland.
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Friday, March 7. 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 Andrew is survived by her brother, Charles Persing; her cousin, Mary Blanken; and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
