Aston, PA—Sister Carmel Mahoney, OSF, 93, died in Assisi House on Friday, June 14, 2024. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 72 years. Sister Carmel was born Julia Sheila Mahoney in County Cork, Ireland, where she was a member of St. John Parish in Dromore. She entered the congregation in 1949 and professed her first vows in 1952.  She earned a BA in Social Science from Marylhurst College. She ministered primarily in elementary education and social services.

Sister Carmel ministered for 17 years in the Archdiocese of Seattle, where she served at St. Ann Convent in Tacoma and at St. Francis House in Puyallup.  In 2004, she moved back to St. Ann Convent where she served in prayer and hospitality. In 2017, she moved east to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

Sister Carmel served for 15 years in the San Diego diocese, where she ministered at Our Lady of Guadalupe School and St. Mary Magdalen School in San Diego and at Mission San Antonio de Pala in Pala. She also served for 12 years in the San Bernardino diocese, where she taught in Corona at St. Francis School and in Riverside at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and St. Thomas School.

Additional ministries included three years at St. Joseph School in Spokane, Washington; seven years at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Portland, first as a student and later as a volunteer; and one year teaching at St. Margaret School in Riverton, Wyoming.  On the East Coast, Sister Carmel ministered for two years at St. Patrick’s in Wilmington, Delaware.

All services will be held in Assisi House on Tuesday, June 18, 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, Margaret Paulson and Maureen Webster; 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.

For a more personal write-up about Sr. Carmel, click here.

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