Sister Anne Charles, OSF, (81), (formerly Sister Philomene Marie) died in St. Ann Convent in Tacoma, Washington, on December 5. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 63 years. Sister Anne was born in County Leitrim, Ireland. She entered the congregation in 1948 and professed her first vows in 1952. She earned a B.S. in Pharmacy from Fordham University in 1959. Although her early years in ministry were spent in education, she ministered primarily in healthcare.
Sister Anne ministered for 30 years in the Archdiocese of Seattle where she worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma from 1954-1955 and again from 1959-1967. In 1995 she moved to St. Ann Convent where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
Sister Anne also ministered in the Diocese of Wilmington for 19 years. There she worked at St. Francis Hospital from 1975-1994.
During her seven years in the Diocese of Harrisburg, Sister Anne ministered at St. Joseph Hospital in Lancaster (1967-1974).
Additional healthcare ministry included serving at St. Joseph Hospital in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey; and St. Elizabeth Community Hospital in Baker, Oregon. During her years in education, Sister Anne taught at St. Edward School in Carona, California, and Sacred Heart Academy in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
All services will be held in St. Ann Convent, 6602 S. Alaska Avenue, Tacoma, Washington. A Vigil Service will be held at 6 P.M. on Tuesday, December 15. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, December 16 at 11 A.M. Sister Anne is survived by her brothers, Christopher Charles and John Charles; her sister, Mary Charles; 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.
