Aston, PA—Sister Kathryn Miller, OSF (formerly Sister Lillian Francis), 98, died in Assisi House on December 3, 2019. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 79 years. Sister Kathryn was born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1937, she was a member of St. Stanislaus Parish in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. She professed her first vows in 1940 and later went on to earn a B.S. in Education from Villanova University and an M.A. in Education from the Catholic University of America. Sister Kathryn ministered primarily in elementary education and also spent a number of years in congregational ministry on both provincial and congregational leadership teams.

During her 35 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Sister Kathryn taught at Our Lady of Consolation School in Philadelphia and later ministered at Neumann University in Aston. She served a term as a member of the congregational leadership team and later served as local coordinator of Our Lady of Angels Convent, the congregation’s motherhouse. In 2008, Sister Kathryn moved to Assisi House where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

Sister Kathryn ministered for 30 years in the Diocese of Trenton. She taught at St. Michael Orphanage in Hopewell as well as at Holy Angels School and St. Anthony High School, both in Trenton. She also ministered as principal at Blessed Sacrament School in Trenton. Sister Kathryn served two terms of office—first as council member and then as provincial—in the former St. Anthony Province which was located in Trenton.

During Sister Kathryn’s 10 years in the Diocese of Metuchen, she served as principal of both St. Joseph School in Rariton and St. Augustine School in Kendall Park.

Additional ministry experience included teaching at St. John the Baptist School in Stiles in the Diocese of Allentown.

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, Aston, Pennsylvania, 19014 on Wednesday, December 11.  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 Kathryn is survived by a sister, Marie Miller, 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.