Aston, PA—Sister Mary Ann Shambo, OSF (formerly Sister Judith Marie), 78, died in Assisi House on April 19, 2012. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 55 years. Sister Mary Ann was born in Stiles, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of St. John the Baptist Parish. She entered the congregation in 1953 and professed her first vows in 1956. A graduate of Central Catholic High School in Allentown, Sister Mary Ann earned a B.S. in Secondary Education and a M.A. in Spirituality and Theology. She ministered primarily in education, parish ministry, and social services.
Sister Mary Ann Shambo ministered for 30 years in the Diocese of Camden. Most of her work there was in the area of adult spirituality. Together with her friend, Sister Barbara Beck, she cofounded a spirituality/evangelization program which they carried out in various parishes. Sister Mary Ann served in St. Rose Lima Parish, Haddon Heights (1975-1978); Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Berlin (1978-1979); St. Edward Parish, Pine Hill (1979-1980); and Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Turnersville (1980-1981). From 1981-1989, Sister Mary Ann served many different parishes including Holy Family Parish, Sewell. She continued her ministry in the diocese in social services and healthcare administration at Cape May Care Center (1995-1997) and Crest Haven Nursing Home (1997-2001), in Cape May Courthouse, New Jersey. From 2001 – present, Sister Mary Ann Shambo worked as a consultant and educator at Excellence in Caring. During that time she also ministered as a caregiver for a family member.
Sister Mary Ann also served 11 years in the Diocese of Allentown in education where she taught at Sacred Heart School (1962-1972) and St. Francis School (1972-1973).
Sister Mary Ann Shambo was the provincial for the former St. Anthony Province in Trenton for four years (1989-1993). She spent seven years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia teaching at St. Elizabeth School (1956-1962) and ministering at St. Agnes Medical Center (1994-1995). She also spent one year at St. Mary Home in New Bedford, Massachusetts in the Diocese of Fall River (1955-1956).
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Tuesday, April 24, 2012. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Mary Ann is survived by a brother, Richard Shambo, nieces, a nephew, cousins, 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.
