Aston, PA—Sister Marie Genevieve Stauffer, OSF, 89, died in Assisi House on September 24. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 61 years. Sister Marie Genevieve (Margaret Mary Stauffer) was born in Bally, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish. Prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1946, she worked as a hosiery knitter at the Great American Knitting Mill in Bally. She completed her high school education after her entrance, professed her first vows in 1949, and later earned a B.A. in English from Neumann University. Sister Marie Genevieve ministered primarily in elementary education. During the years that she lived at Our Lady of Angels Convent, the congregation’s motherhouse in Aston, she enjoyed using her gifts for gardening, crocheting, and making crafts to help raise funds for the congregation’s retired sisters.

Sister Marie Genevieve began her years in ministry in the Diocese of Allentown where she cared for the children at St. Francis Orphanage in Orwigsburg (1949-1951). She ministered in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for 59 years. She taught at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Doylestown (1951-1957); St. Aloysius School, Pottstown (1957-1964); Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Morton (1964-1966); St. Ignatius School, Yardley (1970-1973); and St. Stanislaus School, Lansdale (1973-1976). She lived at Our Lady of Angels Convent, Aston, from 1966-1970 and again from 1976-2006. During these years she served for a time as assistant director of novices. She later worked as gardener with the grounds staff. In 2006 she moved to Assisi House in Aston where she served in prayer ministry until her death.

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Wednesday, September 29. 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 Marie Genevieve is survived by her brothers, Raymond Stauffer and Willard Stauffer; her sister, Mary Fronheiser; many 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.