Aston, PA—Sister Dorothy Elizabeth Real, OSF, (formerly Sister Marie Patricia), 87, died in Crozer-Chester Medical Center on October 19, 2022. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 63 years. Sister Dorothy was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a member of St. Anthony Parish and a graduate of The Catholic High School of Baltimore. She entered the congregation in 1957 and professed her first vows in 1959.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Neumann University (then Our Lady of Angels College) and ministered primarily in elementary education.

Sister Dorothy ministered for many years in the South.  She spent 17 years in the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina, where she taught at St. Paul School in Spartanburg; Our Lady of Peace School in North Augusta; and St. Joseph School in Anderson. Sister Dorothy also spent 15 years in the Diocese of Mobile, Alabama, at Most Pure Heart of Mary School where she served first as a teacher and later as a volunteer.

Additionally, Sister Dorothy ministered for two years in the Diocese of Pensacola at St. Thomas More School in Warrington and six years in the Orlando Diocese at St. Brendan Parish in Ormond Beach where she served in parish ministry and as the director of religious education.

In the northern states, Sister Dorothy ministered for 12 years in the Diocese of Wilmington where she taught at Corpus Christi School, St. John the Beloved School, and All Saints Catholic School.  She also spent four years in the Diocese of Washington, D.C., teaching at Nativity School.  In ­­­­­2015, she moved to Assisi House in Aston, Pennsylvania, where she served in prayer and hospitality until her death.

All services will be held in Assisi House on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, 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. Interment of her ashes will follow at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Dorothy is survived by her sister Kathy Gladding, her many 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 Sister Dorothy, click here.


The livestream will begin at 9:30 A.M. To access the livestream, click here: https://livestream.com/accounts/18363082/srdorothyreal.