Ston, PA—Sister Joan Morris, OSF, 75, (formerly Sister James Mary) died in Assisi House on August 19. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 54 years. Sister Joan was born in McAdoo, Pennsylvania, but later moved to Philadelphia where she was a member of St. Timothy Parish and graduated from Hallahan High School. Prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1952, she worked as a typist at the Naval Aviation Supply Depot in Philadelphia. Sister Joan earned a B.A. in English and an M.S. in Science, both from Villanova University, and an M.A. in Theology from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. She ministered in both elementary and secondary education, diocesan ministry, retreat ministry, vocation ministry, and pastoral and social services. She served on various boards, including Retreats International and Retreats International Northwest; St. Anthony Hospital Board, Pendleton; and Franciscan Health Systems Regional Board, Tacoma. In her leisure time, Sister Joan enjoyed reading and traveling with friends.
From 2000-2008 Sister Joan ministered in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, working as Assistant Director of the Catholic Center at the University of Georgia.
Sister Joan ministered for 10 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She taught at Hallahan High School (1974-1979) and at St. Maria Goretti High School (1979-1980). From 1995-1999 she was vocation director for the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.
Sister Joan’s 12 years in the Diocese of Allentown included teaching at Holy Name High School in Reading (1965-1974). From 1980-1983 she worked for the Diocesan Catholic Social Agency/Family Life Bureau in both Lehighton and Pottsville.
Sister Joan also ministered for 12 years in the Diocese of Harrisburg, teaching at St. Joseph School in Lancaster (1958-1960) and St. Joseph School in York (1960-1965).
Sister Joan also taught at St. Anthony School in Trenton, New Jersey (1955-1958). From 1983-1988 she served as director of the Franciscan Renewal Center in Portland, Oregon. She was also Director of Catechetics at the Pastoral Center in Juneau, Alaska (1990-1995), and for a brief time in 1999 worked at the Marian Shrine Pastoral Center in Chelston in the Diocese of Lusaka, Africa.
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Tuesday, August 25. 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 brother, James Morris; her sister-in-law, Gloria Morris; a niece, 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.
