Aston, PA-Sister Ethelwina Molloy, OSF, died in Assisi House on January 6. She was 98 years of age and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 81years. Sister Ethelwina was born in Kilroe, County Galway, Ireland. She entered the congregation in 1925 and professed her first vows in 1928. Her three older sisters (now deceased), Sister Victorine, Sister Mary Helen, and Sister Gabriel Marie, were also members of the congregation. Sister Ethelwina earned a B.A. in History and an M.A. in History, both from Seattle University. She ministered in education on elementary, secondary, and college levels as well as in congregational ministry.
Sister Ethelwina ministered in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for more than 35 years. She worked at Neumann College, first as a faculty member and later as college archivist. From 1970-1974 she served as a member of the congregation’s general council, traveling back and forth from Oregon for meetings. From 1994-2002 she lived at Our Lady of Angels Convent and volunteered in various congregational offices. In 2002 she moved to Assisi House where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
Sister Ethelwina’s 21 years of ministry in the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, included teaching at St. James School in McMinnville, at Central Catholic High School in Portland, and at Marylhurst College. During many of these years she also taught weekends and summers at the novitiate school at Palatine Hill. It was also during her time in Portland that she was elected to the congregation’s general council.
Sister Ethelwina served for 15 years in the Diocese of Baker. She taught at St. Andrew Indian School in Pendleton, at St. Francis Academy in Baker, and at Sacred Heart Academy in Klamath Falls.
Sister Ethelwina ministered for nine years in the Archdiocese of Seattle where she taught at St. Leo School in Tacoma. Additional ministry experience also included teaching at St. Joseph Academy in Tekoa in the Diocese of Spokane.
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on. A Christian Wake Service will be held on Friday, January 9, 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 Ethelwina is survived by nieces, cousins and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
