Aston, PA — Sister Antonita Donahue, OSF, died in Assisi House on August 24. She was 96 years of age and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 77 years. Sister Antonita (Margaret Elizabeth Donahue) was born in Lansford, Pennsylvania, but grew up in West Philadelphia. She attended Hallahan High School prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1926 and completed her high school education after her entrance. She graduated from Villanova Normal School in 1930 and later earned a B.A. in English from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Sister Antonita ministered primarily in elementary education as a teacher, principal, and school supervisor. She enjoyed reading and watching news programs, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune.
Sister Antonita ministered for twenty-one years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She taught at Our Lady of Consolation School in Tacony (1928-1930); Resurrection School, Chester (1942-1946); Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Morton (1946-1950); and St. Maria Goretti High School (1957-1958). From 1958-1961 she served as School Supervisor for the former Immaculate Conception Province of the Sisters of St. Francis. During the later part of that time she also served as interim novice director. In 1999 she moved to Assisi House in Aston where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
Sister Antonita ministered for fifty-two years in the Diocese of Trenton. She taught at Blessed Sacrament School from 1930-1940 and served as principal there from 1950-1956. She also taught at Immaculate Conception School (1956-1957) and at St. Leo the Great School in Lincroft (1976-1984). From 1961-1970 Sister Antonita served as School Supervisor for the former St. Anthony Province of the Sisters of St. Francis. She served as both principal and teacher at St. Mary of the Lakes School in Medford (1970-1973) and returned there as librarian from 1984 to 1999.
Sister Antonita also ministered in the Diocese of Camden, teaching at St. Nicholas School in Egg Harbor (1941-1942) and in the Diocese of Harrisburg, teaching at St. Mary School in York from 1973-1976.
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Wednesday, August 30. 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 Antonita is survived by her 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.
