Aston, PA — Sister Denise Joseph Drew, OSF, died in St. Ann Convent in Tacoma on January 15. She was ninety years of age and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for sixty-six years. Sister Denise Joseph (Mary Drew) was born in Dromskeky, County Cork, Ireland. She entered the congregation in 1938 at Mallow, County Cork, and professed her first vows in 1941 at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston, Pennsylvania. Sister ministered primarily in domestic work in the various convents where she lived, both on the west and east coasts. She also ministered as a volunteer driver for the sisters.

Sister Denise Joseph served for twenty-nine years in the Archdiocese of Seattle. She ministered with her sisters at Our Lady of Lourdes Convent, Seattle (1978-1982); St. Ann Convent, Tacoma (1982-1986); and Evergreen House (1986-2002). In 2002 she returned to St. Ann Convent where she served in prayer ministry until her death.

During her twelve years in the Diocese of Baker, Sister Denise ministered with her sisters at Sacred Heart Convent in Klamath Falls (1958-1966) and at St. Joseph Convent in Pendleton (1966-1970). Additional ministry on the west coast took Sister Denise Joseph to the Diocese of San Diego where she worked at Our Lady of Guadalupe Convent (1970-1978).

Sister Denise also ministered for many years on the east coast. She served for four years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia where she ministered at St. Elizabeth Convent (1940-1942); St. Mary Convent, Bryn Mawr (1952-1953); and St. Agnes Hospital (1953-1954. During her five years In the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Sister Denise Joseph ministered at Sts. Philip and James Convent (1943-1947) and at St. Francis Villa in Havre de Grace (1951-1952).

Sister Denise served in the Archdiocese of Washington where, from 1954-1958, she ministered at Our Lady of Lourdes Convent in Bethesda, Maryland. In the Diocese of Wilmington, Sister Denise Joseph served at St. Mary Convent (1947-1950) and St. Paul Convent (1950-1951). From 1942-1943 she ministered at St. Paul Convent in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in the Diocese of Charleston.

All services will be held at St. Ann Convent, 6602 S. Alaska Street in Tacoma. The viewing will be held at 6:30 P.M. on Thursday, January 18. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, January 19 at 11 A.M. followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. Sister Denise is survived by her nephews and nieces, and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.