Aston, PA—Sister Elizabeth Mary Novak, OSF, 88, died in Assisi House on Sunday, November 3, 2024. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 66 years. Sister Elizabeth Mary was born Patricia Catherine Novak in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a member of Sacred Heart Parish and a graduate of The Catholic High School of Baltimore. She entered the congregation in 1956 and professed her first vows in 1958.  She earned a BS in English from Mount St. Mary College.  She ministered primarily in elementary education.

Sister Elizabeth ministered for 46 years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, where she taught for seven years at Little Flower School; one year at Queen of Peace Lower School; seven years at St. Elizabeth School; and 31 years at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Essex. She was awarded the Teacher of the Year Award from the archdiocese (1988) and the Maryland Archdiocese Teaching Excellence Award (2005).

Sister Elizabeth Mary also taught for 11 years in the Wilmington diocese at Corpus Christi School in Elsmere and St. Thomas School in Wilmington.  In addition, she taught for three years at Nativity School in Washington, DC. In 2018, Sister Elizabeth moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

All services will be held in Assisi House on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 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 Elizabeth is survived by 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 on Sister Elizabeth, click here.

The livestream will begin at 9:30 A.M. To access the livestream click here: https://www.youtube.com/live/S5nU4-dyfDA.