Aston, PA—Sister Bernadette McInnis, OSF (formerly Sister St. Therese), 76, died in Assisi House on April 15. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 55 years. Sister Bernadette was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She entered the congregation in 1953 and professed her first vows in 1955. She earned a B.A. in English from Villanova and later an M.A. in English from Catholic University. She ministered primarily in education.

Sister Bernadette began her years in education in the Diocese of Trenton, teaching at St. Raphael School in Yardville (1955-1959). She taught for several years in Trenton at Immaculate Conception School (1961-1964), at Blessed Sacrament School (1964-69), and at McCorristin High School (1969-1973). From 1986-1989 she served at St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center in Lawrenceville first as a student then as a coordinator for research and planning.

Sister Bernadette ministered for 29 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia teaching at Neumann University in Aston (1979-86) and again (1997-2011) where she served as an adjunct professor and coordinator of online program development and academic advancement until her death. In addition to her work at Neumann, she was also administrator of Assisi House in Aston for six years (1989-1996). She had previously worked at Assisi House (1977-1979) as a nursing assistant. And her service to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia did not stop there. During Sister Bernadette’s tenure at Neumann University, she also volunteered at Drexel Neumann Academy in Chester as an academic tutor.

Sister Bernadette ministered in the Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey, for two years, serving at St. Joseph School from 1959-1961.

Sister Bernadette also served in education in Pensacola, Florida, where she worked at Pensacola Catholic High School (1973-1977).

All services will be held in Our Lady of Angels Convent Chapel, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA (Glen Riddle), on Wednesday, April 20. A Christian Prayer Service will be held at 9:30 A.M.; Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Bernadette is survived by her niece, Maureen Guigereit, 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.