Aston, PA — Sister Climaca Goffus, OSF, died in Assisi House on March 21. She would have celebrated her 100th birthday in September and has been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 73 years. Sister Climaca was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and was a member of St. Bridget Parish. Prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1931, she worked for the Tin Decorating Company in Baltimore. During her many years of ministry as a sister of St. Francis, Sister Climaca cooked and did domestic work in many of the convents where she lived. In later years she also did parish ministry, visiting the sick in hospitals and nursing homes. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, and music.
Sister Climaca ministered for 37 years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. She cooked for the sisters at St. Vincent DePaul Convent (1950-1960); St. Joseph Convent, Fullerton (1960-1970); and Shrine of the Little Flower Convent (1970-1976). From 1976-1987 she was in parish ministry at SS Philip and James Parish where she served as a Eucharistic minister and visited the sick.
Sister Climaca’s 28 years of service in the Diocese of Wilmington included ministry at St. Thomas Convent (1932-1936); St. Ann Convent (1936-1949); and Our Lady of Fatima Parish, New Castle (1987-1998).
Sister Climaca also ministered for nine years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She worked in the doctor’s dining room at St. Agnes Hospital from 1949-1950. In 1998 she moved to Assisi House in Aston where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
All services were held on Monday, March 27 followed by burial in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Climaca is survived by nieces and nephews and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
