Aston, PA—Sister Dolores Ann Macklin, OSF (formerly Sister Catherine Agnes), 83, died in Assisi House on January 8, 2012. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 61 years. Sister Dolores Ann was born in Wilmington, Delaware, where she was a member of St. Paul Parish. She entered the congregation in 1947 and professed her first vows in 1950.
Sister Dolores earned a B.S. in Education from Mt. St. Mary’s College and an M.S. in Pastoral Counseling from Neumann University. She ministered primarily in education, AIDS ministry, senior services, and counseling. Sister Dolores Macklin co-founded St. Patrick’s Center for senior citizens in 1971 and worked with the Catholic Charities AIDS ministry for almost 20 years. In 2006, Sister Dolores was honored with the “Servant of the Poor” Award from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. She was also the recipient of the Catholic Charities’ Msgr. Thomas J. Reese Award, along with many other awards and honors, for her dedication to justice and the poor. In 1982, she was appointed as a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging. Sister Dolores’ activities included the Senior Food Program, Project SERVE, and the Delaware Aging Projects Association. She was one of the early “patient care” volunteers with the Delaware Hospice.
Sister Dolores Ann Macklin ministered for 42 years in the Diocese of Wilmington where she taught at Immaculate Conception School, Elkton (1950-1952); St. Mary School, Wilmington (1952-1953); and St. Patrick School, Wilmington (1967-1972). She co-founded St. Patrick’s Center for senior citizens in 1971 and ministered there from 1972-1984. She began her AIDS ministry with the Catholic Charities in 1988 and remained in this ministry until 2008.
Sister Dolores also ministered for 10 years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. She taught at St. Joseph School, Fullerton (1953-1957); St. Peter Claver School, Baltimore (1961-1965); St. Anthony School, Baltimore (1965-1966); and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Middle River (1966-1967).
Sister Dolores ministered for four years in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, where she taught at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Bethesda (1957-1961). She also spent one year in the Diocese of Charleston at St. Mary’s Parish, Hartsville (1985-1986). Sister Dolores Macklin served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a volunteer at Assisi House (1986-1987) and was a student at Neumann University (1984-1985). She moved to Assisi House in 2008 where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Friday, January 13, 2012. 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 Dolores is survived by her sister, Genevieve Gregg; two brothers, Norris Macklin and Ronald Macklin; nieces, nephews, 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.
