Aston, PA — Sister Agnes Assisi Shipley, OSF, died in Assisi House on July 9, 2006. Cause of death was cardiopulmonary collapse. She was 91 years of age and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 77 years (entered in 1929). Born Catherine Elizabeth Shipley in Baltimore, Maryland, Sr. Agnes Assisi was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and graduated in 1934 from Harrisburg, PA Pre-Professionals High School. Sr. Agnes Assisi earned a B.S. degree in History (Minor: English) from Mt. St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland in 1934 and an M.A. degree in Elementary Education (Minor: Administration) from Catholic University in Washington, DC in 1968.

Of her 69 years in ministry, Sister Agnes Assisi was missioned for 23 years in the Baltimore archdiocese; 20 years in the Charleston, SC diocese; 20 years in the Wilmington, DE archdiocese; 5 years in the Raleigh, NC diocese; and 1 year in the Richmond, VA diocese.

Among her missions in the Baltimore archdiocese were St. Vincent de Paul (1931-1933), SS. Phillip & James (1934-1938), St. Paul School (1952-1955), and St. Stephen in Bradshaw (1961-1962). Sr. Agnes Assisi also served at St. Lawrence (1967-1973), St. Clement (1973-1975), Shrine of the Little Flower (1975-1978), and St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, where she volunteered for a few months in 1998.

While in the Charleston diocese, Sr. Agnes Assisi served in diocesan ministry at Divine Redeemer in Hanahan (1978-1985) and Blessed Sacrament in Charleston (1985-1990). She also served in parish ministry at St. Andrew Parish in Myrtle Beach (1990-1994), St. Mary Parish in Greenville (1994-1996), and Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Folly Beach (1996-1998).

In the Wilmington archdiocese, Sr. Agnes Assisi served at St. Ann School in Wilmington (1955-1961) and Immaculate Conception School in Elkton (1938-1952). Her other missions included Holy Spirit in Jacksonville, NC (1962-1967) and Holy Family School in Cape Charles, VA (1933-1934). In 1998, Sr. Agnes Assisi moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence, where she lived out her remaining days surrounded by other Sisters of St Francis.

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Thursday, July 13. 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., followed by Burial in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister is survived by nieces and nephews and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.