Aston, PA—Sister Joan Schmal, OSF, (formerly Sister Joselle), 82, died in Assisi House on December 22. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 61 years. Sister Joan was born in Philadelphia where she was a member of St. Boniface Parish and a graduate of Hallahan High School. She entered the congregation in 1951 and professed her first vows in 1953. Sister Joan earned a B.S. in Education from Villanova University; an M.S. in Business Education from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania; and an M.S. in Pastoral Counseling from Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania. She ministered primarily in education and in social services. In 2000 Sister Joan received the Educator of the Year Award from the Caron Foundation for her work as a prevention/intervention specialist with Shalom, Inc.

Sister Joan’s years in ministry began as a teacher at Sacred Heart School in Allentown, Pennsylvania (1953-1955). From there she moved to her native Philadelphia where she ministered for 57 years. She taught at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Morton (1955-1958), St. Ludwig School (1958-1959), Little Flower High School (1959-1972), Hallahan High School (1972-1982), and St. Hubert High School (1982-1988). From 1990-2005 she worked in social services with Shalom, Inc. In 2005 she began volunteering at Assisi House in Aston, a ministry she continued until 2009 at which time she became a resident of Assisi House and served in prayer ministry.

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, Aston, Pennsylvania, 19014 on Friday, January 2, 2015. 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 Joan is survived by her sister, Alma Bradbury, her nieces and 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.