Aston, PA—Sister Anne Gallagher, OSF, (74) (formerly Sister Margaret Leo) died in Assisi House on January 12. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 49 years. Sister Anne was born in Washington, New Jersey, and was a graduate of Washington High School. She graduated from St. Francis Hospital School in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1960 and worked there for several years after becoming a registered nurse. She entered the congregation in 1962 and professed her first vows in 1965. Sister Anne earned a B.S. in Nursing from Neumann University in Aston in 1974 and in 1982 became a certified registered nurse practitioner after studying at Indiana University of Pennsylvania/Allegheny Hospital.
Sister Anne’s nine years of ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia included working as a nurse at St. Mary Hospital in Philadelphia (1970-1972). From 2006-2013 she served as director of senior services for the Sisters of St. Francis, a position which later became part of the congregation’s pastoral services department.
Sister Anne ministered in St. Joseph Hospital in Lancaster for 13 years, first as a nursing supervisor (1965-1970) and later as a nurse practitioner (1982-1990).
Sister Anne also ministered in the Diocese of Wilmington for 13 years. From 1974-1981 she worked at St. Francis Hospital. She also served as a school nurse at Holy Spirit School from 2000-2005. Her ministry at Our Lady of Fatima Parish included working as both a nurse and as administrative assistant (2005-2006).
Sister Anne ministered for 10 years in the Diocese of Allentown. From 1990-1994 she worked part-time as a certified school nurse for the Reading school district and part-time as a health services director at Alvernia College. In the latter position she received the Alvernia College Student Government Outstanding Staff Member Award in 1994. Between 1994-2000, Sister Anne minister part-time as a caregiver for a family member and also served as a school nurse—first as a substitute for the Catasauqua School District and later as school nurse at North Hampton School.
All services will be held in Our Lady of Angels Convent Chapel, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, Pennsylvania, 19014 on Thursday, January 16. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12 noon. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Anne is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Sue Gallagher; her sisters-in-law, Sylvia Clarketta-Gallagher and Freddie Lynn Gallagher; her nieces and nephews; and her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
