Aston, PA —Sister Francis Assisi McDade, OSF, died in Assisi House on June 25. She was ninety-six years of age and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for seventy-five years. Sister Francis Assisi (Mary Elizabeth McDade) was born in Trenton, New Jersey, where she was a member of St. Anthony Parish. Prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1929, she graduated from Immaculate Conception High School. She professed her first vows in 1932. Sister Francis Assisi earned a B.S. in Education from Villanova University and an M.A. in Theology from Notre Dame University. She ministered primarily in education on the elementary and collegiate level and was liturgist at the congregation’s motherhouse in Aston for many years. During the1960s she was responsible for two recordings on which she directed the sisters’ choir-Joyous Echoes (1962) and We Sing of Christmas (1963). Proceeds from the recordings were for the Neumann College building fund (the college had not yet been built). Sister Francis Assisi’s leisure activities included reading and watching the news; enjoying nature, especially trees, birds, and wild flowers; and, of course, music.
All of Sister Francis Assisi’s seventy-five years in ministry were spent in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She taught at St. Elizabeth School(1931-1935); St. Aloysius School, Pottstown (1935-1938); St. Benedict School (1939-1940, 1945-1952); and Resurrection School, Chester(1940-1945). In 1952 she returned to Resurrection School as principal and served there in that capacity until 1958. From 1938-1939 she taught music in the novitiate school at the congregation’s motherhouse in Aston. She returned there in 1958 and during the next forty-two years ministered in various capacities. She again taught music in the novitiate school and served as liturgist at the motherhouse, Our Lady of Angels Convent. From 1965-1973 she taught music and theology at Neumann College in Aston. She also served on the Provincial Council forthe former Immaculate Conception Province (1970-1973). In 2000 Sister Francis Assisi moved to Assisi House in Aston, where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Thursday, June 28. AChristian 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 Francis Assisi is survived by her sister, Margaret Mooney of Manchester, New Jersey; by nieces, nephews, and cousins; and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
