Aston, PA—Sister Elaine Ann Thaden, OSF, (formerly Sister Joseph Maureen), 86, died in Riddle Hospital on May 7, 2026. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 66 years. Sister Elaine was born in Tacoma, Washington, where she was a member of Holy Rosary Parish and a graduate of St. Leo School. She entered the congregation in 1957 and professed her first vows in 1960. She earned a BA in English from Marylhurst University, an MA in Science from Fort Wright College, and an MA in Theology from Washington Theological Union. She ministered primarily in education and spiritual/retreat ministry.

Sister Elaine ministered for 35 years in the Spokane Diocese. She taught for nine years at St. Charles School, served as house mother at St. Ann Home for two years, and was principal of All Saints Middle School for one year. She attended the Personal Growth Center in Spokane for three years and was administrative director of St. Joseph Family Center for eight years. Sister Elaine served her congregation as vocation director in the West, and in spiritual ministry for an additional 12 years.

Called to missionary work during the 1990s, Sister Elaine spent nine years in Zambia, Africa, where she was an educator and spiritual director at MPIMA Seminary in Kabwe and Marian Shrine in Lusaka.

Additional ministry included nine years in the San Bernardino diocese teaching at St. Thomas School in Riverside and serving as principal of St. Edward School in Corona. She served for five years in the Archdiocese of Seattle at Seattle House/Still Point Center in spiritual ministry, and an additional three years in the Baker Diocese at Sacred Heart High School in Baker as theology teacher and development coordinator. In 2023, Sister Elaine moved to Assisi House, the congregational retirement home in Aston, Pennsylvania, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

All services will be held in Assisi House on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and will be livestreamed. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M., with Mass of Christian Burial at 11 A.M. Internment of Ashes will follow in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Elaine is survived by 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.

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The livestream will begin on Tuesday, May 19 at 9:30 A.M. Watch