Aston, PA-Sister Elizabeth Staudenmeier, OSF, (formerly Sister Caroline Joseph), died in Assisi House on October 7. She was eighty-nine years of age and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for sixty-seven years. Sister Elizabeth was born in Ashland, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of St. Mauritius Parish. Prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1938, she graduated from Ashland Public High School. Sister Elizabeth earned a B.S. in Education from Villanova University and an M.S. in Science from the University of Iowa. She ministered in education on both elementary and secondary levels as teacher and principal. From 1983-1989 she served in provincial administration as education coordinator for the former St. Joseph Province. During her many years in education, she participated in diocesan, state, and national educational conferences and conventions as a presenter and panelist. In her leisure time, Sister Elizabeth enjoyed reading, listening to classical music, and following sports, especially Penn State football.
Sister Elizabeth ministered for twenty-nine years in the Diocese of Allentown. She taught at St. Mary School, Catasauqua (1940-1946); St. Joseph School, Easton (1953-1956); Reading Central Catholic High School (1960-1964, 1978-1981); Holy Name High School, Reading (1964-1971, 1972-1973); Sacred Heard School, Allentown (1989-1991); and St. Andrew School, Catasauqua (1991-1993). She was principal of St. Mary Magdalen School in Lost Creek from 1959-1960.
Sister Elizabeth’s twenty-five years of ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia including teaching at St. Francis deSales School in Lenni (1946-1948); Our Lady of Consolation School (1948-1953); and St. Elizabeth School (1956-1959). From 1993-2004 she lived at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston and during that time tutored adults in reading. In 2004 she moved to Assisi House in Aston where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
From 1973-1978 Sister Elizabeth served as principal of St. Anthony High School (McCorristin) in Trenton, New Jersey. She also ministered as curriculum coordinator at Pensacola Catholic High School in Pensacola, Florida from 1981-1983.
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Monday, October 13. 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 three brothers: Leonard of Ashland, Pennsylvania; Louis of Ashland, Pennsylvania; and William of Peoria, Illinois; by nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews; and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
