Aston, PA-Sister Ann Elizabeth Bowler, OSF, died in Assisi House on June 29. She was 92 years of age and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for seventy-one years. Sister Ann Elizabeth (Ann Marie Bowler) was born in Philadelphia, where she was a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Germantown. Prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1934, she graduated from Hallahan High School. Sister Ann Elizabeth earned both a B.S.N. and an M.S.N. the Catholic University of America. She ministered in healthcare as a nurse educator and administrator. She was a Lifetime Fellow in Healthcare Facilities Administration. Her leisure activities included knitting, crocheting, and reading. After her retirement, Sister Ann continued to volunteer in healthcare facilities.

Sister Ann Elizabeth ministered in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for forty-two years. She served at St. Mary Hospital from 1936-1940 and again from 1946-1947. She was Director of Nursing at St. Joseph Hospital from 1947-1951 and from 1952-1954). From 1962-1971 she was administrator of St. Agnes Hospital and Director of the Building Program. From 1978-1987 she served as a member of the generalate council for the Sisters of St. Francis and as the congregation’s Director of Mission and Ministry. During those same years she also served for a short time as CEO of Franciscan Health Systems in Chadds Ford (1984-1985). From 1995-1996 she ministered as a caregiver for a family member. From 1996-2003 she ministered as a volunteer at Immaculate Mary Home. In 2003 she moved to Assisi House in Aston where she served in prayer ministry until her death.

Sister Ann Elizabeth ministered for twelve years in the Diocese of Allentown. She served at St. Joseph Hospital in Reading from 1940-1944 and returned as Director of Nursing from 1954-1962).

From 1974-1978 Sister Ann Elizabeth ministered in the Diocese of Harrisburg where she served as Assistant Director of Health Care Facilities for the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference.

In the Diocese of Baker, Oregon, Sister Ann Elizabeth ministered for eight years at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Baker City (1987-1995). She also ministered at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware (1971-1974).

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on July 2. 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 Ann Elizabeth is survived by her sister Betty Duke of Bucks County; two brothers, Father Joseph Bowler, OSFS, of Childs, Maryland and Harry Bowler of Philadelphia; and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.