Aston, PA—Sister Elizabeth Frances Scully (formerly Sister Anthony Brendan), 97, died in Assisi House on November 14, 2021. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 76 years. Sister Elizabeth was born in Windsor, Vermont, but later moved to Ireland, where she graduated from Presentation Convent High School in Youghal, County Cork. She entered the congregation in 1942 and professed her first vows in 1945. Sister Elizabeth earned a BA in English from Villanova University, an MA in religious education from Loyola Marymount College in Los Angeles, and an MA in classical Latin from Reed College in Portland. She ministered primarily in elementary and secondary education and parish ministry.

Sister Elizabeth began her ministry in education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, teaching for one semester at SS. Peter and Paul School in Lehighton and then at All Saints School in Philadelphia.  She later returned to the diocese working as a volunteer in the congregation’s Office of Corporate Social Responsibility for five years and in spiritual direction at the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Aston.  In 2016 she moved to Assisi House in Aston, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

Sister Elizabeth spent 11 years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, where she taught at Shrine of the Little Flower School, St. Joseph School in Fullerton, and the Catholic High School of Baltimore.  She also served in the diocese of Trenton for three years teaching at McCorristin High School.

In 1965 Sister Elizabeth moved to the West Coast, where she taught for three years at St. Leo High School in Tacoma, Washington.  Her 11 years in the Diocese of Portland included teaching at North Catholic High School; Sacred Heart Academy, Klamath Falls; and St. James School, McMinnville.  She also ministered as a legislative staff person at the Oregon Center for Peace and Justice.  In 1980, her life took a different turn when she served for three years with Catholic Relief Services Primary Health Care Program in Hodeidah in the Republic of Yemen.

For 21 years Sister Elizabeth ministered in California. Her work there, both in education and in parish ministry, included St. Isadore School, Danville; St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Riverside; and St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, Riverside. In later years Sister Elizabeth served in spiritual direction at both Villa Maria House of Prayer in La Habra and Sacred Heart Convent in Palm Desert.

All services will be held in Assisi House on Thursday, November 18. Viewing at 9:30 A.M. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 A.M. Burial will follow in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Elizabeth is survived by her sister, Sister Olivia Scully, PBVM; her brother, David Scully; 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.

Click here to read a more personal memorial write-up on Sister Elizabeth.

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Family members and friends are welcome to join the funeral Mass for Sr. Elizabeth Scully via live-stream.  See the information below.
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Time: 10:45 A.M. and the service begins at 11 A.M.
https://livestream.com/accounts/18363082/SrElizabethScully