Aston, PA—Sister Carmel Gregg, OSF, (formerly Sister Ancilla), 90, died in Crozer Chester Medical Center on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 70 years. Sister Carmel was born in Ballyfarnon, County Roscommon, Ireland, where she was a member of Athleague Parish. She entered the congregation in 1951 and professed her first vows in 1954. Sister Carmel earned a BS in Education from Marylhurst College, an MA in Religious Studies from Gonzaga University, an MA in Spirituality from Regis University, and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from California Family Studies Center. She ministered primarily in education, administration, and spiritual/pastoral ministry.

Sister Carmel ministered for 16 years in the Portland diocese, where she taught at Blessed Sacrament School, served on the provincial council for the congregation, served as a counselor at Northeast Catholic Center, and worked in spiritual ministry at Franciscan Spiritual Center in Milwaukie.

Sister Carmel ministered for 18 years in the Spokane diocese, where she taught for six years at St. Charles Borromeo School and served for 12 years as the director of St. Joseph Family Center.

In the Archdiocese of Seattle, Sister Carmel ministered for 19 years, where she began teaching at St. Leo School and St. Charles Borromeo School, both in Tacoma. More recently, she worked as a counselor for 10 years at St. Ann Convent and then as a volunteer for an additional three years. While serving as a volunteer at St. Ann’s, Sister Carmel also served in advocacy for immigrants at NW Aid in Tacoma.

In 2021, she moved east to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

Additional ministries included two years at Our Lady of Guadalupe School in San Diego, California; and seven years in the Diocese of Baker teaching at St. Joseph Academy in Pendleton and Sacred Heart Academy in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

All services will be held in Assisi House on Tuesday, July 23, 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. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Carmel is survived by her sisters, Eileen Gregg and Bridget Sullivan; her brothers Brendan [Anne], John [Vanessa], and Patrick [Ginger]; her nieces and nephews; and her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.

Read a more personal write up on Sister Carmel, here.  

The livestream will begin at 9:30 A.M. To access the livestream click here: https://www.youtube.com/live/9zk4pqXRVEE.