Aston, PA—Sister Anna Mae Coll, OSF, (formerly Sister James Bernard), 98, died in Assisi House on Saturday, January 20, 2024. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 77 years. Sister Anna Mae was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a member of Little Flower Parish and a graduate of The Catholic High School of Baltimore. She entered the congregation in 1944 and professed her first vows in 1947. She earned a BS in Education from Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. She ministered primarily in elementary education.

Sister Anna Mae ministered for 20 years in the  Diocese of Wilmington where she taught at both St. Thomas and St. John the Beloved Schools.  She also served in local house ministry working with the Community Fund while at Our Lady of Fatima Convent in New Castle.

In the Diocese of Washington, D.C., Sister Anna Mae taught for seven years at Nativity School in Washington; for six years at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Bethesda; and for a partial year at St. Bernadette School in Silver Spring. Additional ministry included five years in the Baltimore archdiocese, teaching at both St. Stephen School and St. Clement School.

Sister Anna Mae ministered for 24 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia where she volunteered at St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter in Phoenixville.  She also volunteered as a driver to her fellow sisters at Queen of Peace Convent in Aston.  In 2010 she moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

All services will be held in Assisi House on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, and will be livestreamed. 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. Internment of ashes will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. She is survived by her sister, Sister Mary Teresa Coll, OSF, 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.

For a more personal write-up on Sister Anna Mae, click here.

The livestream will begin at 9:30 A.M. To access the livestream, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXwhtzBmbrs.