Aston, PA—Sister Catherine Georgine Portner, 99, died in Assisi House on October 10, 2017. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 81 years. Sister Catherine Georgine (Gertrude Mary Portner) was born in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of St. Fidelis Parish. She entered the congregation in 1932 and professed her first vows in 1936. Sister Catherine Georgine earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Marywood College and an M.A. from the Catholic University of America. She ministered primarily in elementary education.

Sister Catherine Georgine ministered for 26 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She taught at St. Alphonsus School and at St. Benedict School. In 2001 she began volunteering in the Sisters of St. Francis finance office located in Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston. In 2012 she became a resident of Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, where she served in prayer ministry and, for several years, continued her volunteer work in the finance office.

During her 28 years in the Diocese of Trenton, Sister Catherine Georgine taught at St. Michael’s Home in Hopewell, St. Raphael School in Trenton, and St. Mary of the Lake School in Medford. She was principal of Holy Angels School and served as both principal and teacher at Blessed Sacrament School in Trenton. During her years at McCorriston High School, she served as coordinator of education.

Sister Catherine Georgine spent six years in the Diocese of Harrisburg where she taught at St. Joseph School in Lancaster and served as principal at St. Joseph School in York.

She also ministered for nine years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, teaching at Immaculate Conception School in Towson.

In addition to her many years in education, Sister Catherine Georgine ministered for 12 years in the Diocese of Allentown, serving as a caregiver for a family member in Mahanoy City.

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, Aston, Pennsylvania, 19014 on Friday, October 13. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M. followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial at will be at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Catherine Georgine is survived by her niece Kay, cousins, 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.