Aston, PA—Sister Regina Mary Leonard, OSF, 87, died in Assisi House on September 27. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 63 years. Sister Regina Mary (Anna Margaret Leonard) was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a member of St. Patrick Parish and a graduate of Patterson Park High School. She entered the congregation in 1948 and professed her first vows in 1951. She earned a B.S. in Education from Mt. St. Mary’s University and an M.A. in Religious Studies from LaSalle University. She ministered primarily in education, parish ministry, and in pastoral care to the sick.

Sister Regina Mary’s early years in ministry were spent in the Archdiocese of Washington where she taught at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Bethesda (1953-1958) and St. Bernadette School in Silver Spring (1958-1960).

Sister Regina Mary ministered for 21 years in the Diocese of Wilmington. She taught at Holy Angels School in Newark (1971-1976) and Immaculate Conception School in Elkton (1981-1984). Her work in parish ministry took her to Our Lady of Fatima Parish in New Castle (1988-1989) and Sacred Heart Parish in Wilmington (1997-2001). From 1997-2009 she also ministered as a volunteer hospital visitor at the Veterans’ Hospital in Elsmere.

Sister Regina’s 19 years of ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore included teaching at St. Paul School (1960-1961), St. Clement School in Rosedale (1961-1964), Immaculate Conception School in Towson, (1964-1971), Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School (1978-1981) and the Catholic High School of Baltimore (1984-1985). She also worked in parish ministry at St. Lawrence Parish (1976-1978) and St. Francis DeSales Parish in Abington (1986-1988).

Additional teaching experience included teaching at St. Leo the Great School in Lincroft, New Jersey (1989-1996).

Sister Regina Mary moved to Assisi House in Aston in 2009 where she served in prayer ministry until her death.

All services will be held in Assisi House, 610 Red Hill Road, Pennsylvania, 19014 on October 6. 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 Regina Mary is survived by her brother, George Leonard, 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.