Aston, PA-Sister Kathleen Garrity, OSF (formerly Sister Austin Mary), 83, died in Assisi House on January 3, 2013. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 56 years. Sister Kathleen was born in 1929 in Philadelphia where she was a member of Holy Child Parish and a graduate of Hallahan High School. She entered the congregation in 1953 and professed her first vows in 1956. Sister Kathleen earned a B.A. in English from Neumann University in 1972 and a Masters in Educational Management from Loyola University. She ministered primarily in education and parish ministry.
Sister Kathleen ministered for 13 years in the Diocese of Trenton. She taught at Blessed Sacrament School in Trenton (1956-1957), St. Rose of Lima School in Freehold (1957-1961), and Corpus Christi School in Willingboro (1961-1969).
Sister Kathleen’s 11 years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore included teaching at St. Elizabeth School (1979-1981), St. Lawrence School (1978-1979), and Sts. Philip and James School (1981-1982). She was principal of St. Katharine School from 1984-1985. She also served in parish ministry at St. Mark’s Parish in Fallston (1991-1997).
Sister Kathleen also served for 11 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She taught at St. Benedict School (1969-1972, 1976-1977); Nativity School, Media (1972-1973); and Resurrection School, Chester (1973-1976). In 2009 she moved to Assisi House where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
Sister Kathleen taught in the Diocese of Wilmington for seven years: Holy Angels School, Newark (1982-1984); St. Anthony School (1985-1988); and St. Ann School (1988-1990). Additional ministry includes teaching at Most Blessed Sacrament School in Bally, Pennsylvania (1977-1978); and St. Francis School in Allentown, Pennsylvania (1978). She worked as a receptionist at the Joseph Gawler & Sons Funeral Home in Washington, DC (1998-2001, 2003-2005). From 2001-2003 she was a pastoral associate at St. Anne Parish in Marianna, Florida, and St. Joseph Parish, Chipley, Florida. From 2005-2009 she worked at St. Joseph Residence in Ringwood, New Jersey, where she served as a driver for the sisters.
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, Aston, on Tuesday, January 8. 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 Kathleen is survived by her brothers, James and Thomas Garrity, her nieces and cousins, 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.
