Aston, PA—Sister Charlotte Lagnese, OSF, 79 (formerly Sister Marguerite Mary) died in Lancaster General Hospital on January 13. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 57 years. Sister Charlotte was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a member of St. Katharine Parish and a graduate of the Catholic High School of Baltimore. She entered the congregation in 1956 and professed her first vows in 1958. Sister Charlotte earned a BA in Humanities from Neumann University and an MA in Theology from LaSalle University. She ministered primarily in education and in pastoral ministry. In 2009 Sister Charlotte received the Starfish Award from St. Joseph Health Ministries for her volunteer services. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that make a positive contribution to St. Joseph Health Ministries’ overall mission.
Sister Charlotte ministered for 44 years in the Diocese of Harrisburg. She taught at St. Mary School, York, and St. Joseph School, Lancaster. Her work in pastoral ministry included serving in St. Joseph Parish, York; St. Philip Parish, Lancaster; St. Catherine of Sienna Parish, Quarryville. Since 2007 Sister Charlotte served as Eucharistic minister at Lancaster General Hospital and volunteered at St. Joseph Health Ministries.
Sister Charlotte also ministered for nine years in the Diocese of Trenton where she taught at Corpus Christi School in Willingboro and St. Mary of the Lakes School in Medford. Additional ministry included teaching at St. Nicholas School in Egg Harbor, New Jersey.
All services will be held on Monday, January 19 at Holy Trinity Church, 409 Cherry Street, Columbia, Pennsylvania, 17512. Viewing will be from 8:30-10 A.M., followed by the Mass of Christian burial. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Aston, Pennsylvania. Sister Charlotte is survived by two sisters, Dorothy Blackwell and Peggy Kline; a brother Michael Lagnese, nieces, nephews, and by her Franciscan family. She is predeceased by her sisters Marie Gorub and Aileen Della Penna and her brother John Lagnese. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
