Aston, PA—Sister Marie Linehan, OSF, (formerly Sister Maria Urban) died in St. Ann Convent in Tacoma, Washington, on April 19, and would have celebrated her 85th birthday on Friday, April 22. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 66 years. Sister Marie (Mary Linehan) was born in County Cork, Ireland. Although she entered the congregation in 1945, she did not officially enter candidacy until 1948. She professed her first vows in 1950. Her sister, Sister Carmel Joseph Linehan (deceased) was also a member of the congregation. Sister Marie ministered primarily in education, child care, and pastoral services.
Sister Marie ministered in the Archdiocese of Seattle for 23 years. She served as a house parent at St. Ann Home in Tacoma for 17 years. In 2010 she returned to Tacoma where she lived at St. Ann Convent and served in prayer ministry until her death.
Sister Marie’s 35 years of service in the Diocese of Spokane included 11 years of serving as a house parent at St. Joseph Children’s Home. She also taught for a short period of time at St. Charles School. In later years she served as a chaplain at Sacred Heart Medical Center (16 years) and as a volunteer at Hospice of Spokane (7 years).
Additional ministry experience included her work in the Baker Diocese where she taught at Sacred Heart Academy in Klamath Falls for four years.
All services will be held in St. Ann Convent, 6602 S. Alaska Street, Tacoma, Washington. The vigil will be held at 6 P.M. on Friday, April 22, at 6 P.M. Mass of Christian burial will be on Saturday, April 23, at 11 A.M. Sister Marie is survived by her brother, Dan Linehan, her sister, Norine Fitzpatrick, 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.
