Aston, PA—Sister James Frances McGlashen, OSF, 100, died in Assisi House on January 8. She would have been celebrating her 101st birthday on January 18. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 76 years. Sister James Frances (Josephine Marie McGlashen) was born in Philadelphia where she was a member of St. Anne Parish and a graduate of Hallahan High School. She entered the congregation in 1941 and professed her first vows in 1944. Sister James Frances earned a B.S. in Education and an M.S. in Business, both from Marywood College in Scranton. She ministered primarily in education on both elementary and secondary levels.

Sister James Frances began her years in ministry as a novice when she was sent to the Archdiocese of Baltimore to teach at St. Clement School in Rosedale. She remained at the school for four years.

Sister James Frances’ 73 years of service in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia included teaching at Hallahan High School, Little Flower High School, and St. Hubert High School, all in Philadelphia. She also taught at St. Pius X High School in Pottstown. Additional years in the archdiocese were spent serving as a caregiver for a family member. Her later years in active ministry were at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne where she served as a volunteer. In 2017 Sister James Frances moved to Assisi House in Aston where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry.

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, Aston, Pennsylvania, 19014 on Wednesday, January 15.  A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M. followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial at will be at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston.  Sister James Frances is survived by 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.

(Watch our Lifetime of Ministry series video on Sr. James Frances McGlashen here)

Read Sister James Frances’ memorial write-up.