Aston, PA—Sister Frances Will, OSF (formerly Sister Emily Leo), 90, died in Assisi House on Saturday, June 20, 2015. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 66 years. Frances Josephine Will was born in Boston, Massachusetts, where she was a member of Holy Trinity Parish and a graduate of Holy Trinity High School. She entered the congregation in 1946 and professed her first vows in 1949. Sister Frances earned a BS in Secondary Education from Villanova University. She ministered primarily in education ministry and was an accomplished musician.
Sister Frances ministered for 36 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She began her ministry in education at Resurrection School in Chester (1949-1952). She also ministered at St. Ludwig School (1953-1961, 1973-1975), Our Lady of Consolation School (1961-1968, 1972-1973), and St. Mary of the Assumption School (1968-1972) in Philadelphia. She continued her ministry in the archdiocese at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Doylestown (1975-1978). Sister Frances volunteered at Assisi House in Aston from 2007-2010 at which time she became resident, where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
Sister Frances Will ministered for 28 years in the Archdiocese of Boston where she spent 17 years at the Blessed Sacrament School in Walpole (1978-1984, 1985-1995, 2006-2007). Sister Frances began her time at Blessed Sacrament first as a teacher before becoming principal 1980-1984. After she stepped down as administrator, Sister Frances remained very active in the school and parish—teaching small groups advanced and remedial math, serving as Eucharistic minister and lector, and ministering to the elderly and infirmed. Sister Frances Will and Sister Rosemary Matt (deceased August 2011) both left Blessed Sacrament in 2007 ending a 41 year history of the congregation ministering in the school and parish. Sister Frances also spent a number of years at St. John the Evangelist School in Canton (1995-2006).
Additional ministry in education included teaching religion and music for one year at St. Mary Home in New Bedford, Massachusetts (1984-1985), and one year teaching in the Allentown Diocese at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Minersville, Pennsylvania (1952-1953).
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, Aston, Pennsylvania, 19014 on Friday, June 26, 2015. 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 Frances is survived by her nieces and nephews 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.
