Aston, PA—Sister Joan Bunty, OSF, (formerly Sister Josephine Mary), 88, died in Assisi House on Sunday, March 31, 2024. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 68 years. Sister Joan was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a member of St. Anthony Parish and a graduate of The Catholic High School of Baltimore.  She entered the congregation in 1954 and professed her first vows in 1956.  She earned a BA in English from Neumann University (then Our Lady of Angels College) and a MS in Religious Studies from Marywood College.  She ministered primarily in pastoral ministry and education.

Sister Joan ministered for 44 years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, serving for six years as the director of campus ministry at Mt. St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg and for seven years as director of religious education at SS. Philip & James Church in Baltimore.  For 26 years, she served as a pastoral associate at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Crofton and at St. Gabriel Church in Windsor Mill. She spent an additional five years at St. Elizabeth Rehab and Nursing Center in Baltimore in pastoral care.

Sister Joan taught for 10 years in the Allentown Diocese, teaching for five years at each Sts. Peter & Paul School in Lehighton and Reading Central Catholic High School.

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Sister Joan served for six years in education ministry teaching at Resurrection School in Chester, St. Elizabeth School in Philadelphia, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Doylestown.  In 2021 she 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 Thursday, April 4, 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 Joan is survived by her sister, Sister  Mother Mary of the Angels; her brother James; 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 Joan, click here.

The livestream will begin at 9:30 A.M. To access the livestream, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HDxjEeFF9A.