Aston, PA-Sister Bernadette Desmond, OSF, 80, died in Assisi House on February 18. She was a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 60 years. Sister Bernadette was born in County Cork, Ireland. She entered the congregation in 1946 and professed her first vows in 1949. Sister Bernadette ministered in healthcare and in domestic work. She earned her LPN from St. Mary Hospital in Philadelphia.
Sister Bernadette ministered in the Diocese of Allentown for 33 years. She worked for 29 years at St. Joseph Hospital in Reading in various capacities. Most recently she served at Providence House and at Neumann Convent.
Sister Bernadette’s 10 years of service in York, Pennsylvania included her ministry at St. Mary Convent. She also ministered at St. Michael Orphanage in Hopewell, New Jersey and Morris Hall in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
Sister Bernadette ministered for six years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She worked at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston and at St. Mary Hospital in Philadelphia. In November 2008 she moved to Assisi House where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
Additional ministry experience included working at St. Joseph Convent in Wilmington, Delaware; St. Francis Academy in Baker, Oregon; St. Anthony Convent in Baltimore, Maryland; and Mt. St. Mary College in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Tuesday, February 24. 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 Bernadette is survived by her brother Jack Desmond; 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.
