Aston, PA—Sister Mary Ann Potenza, OSF, (formerly Sister Mary Nicholas), 89, died in Assisi House on Friday, January 7. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 69 years. Sister Mary Ann was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of St. Thomas Parish and a graduate of Hallahan High School. She entered the congregation in 1951 and professed her first vows in 1953. She earned a BS in Education from Mt. St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. She ministered primarily in education and pastoral ministry.
Sister Mary Ann ministered for 52 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She taught at Our Lady of Consolation School, served as principal at St. Bonaventure School, and taught at All Saints School in Philadelphia as well as St. Stanislaus School in Lansdale. She acted as principal at St. Ignatius School in Yardley for seven years. In later years she served as a volunteer in the “No One Dies Alone Program” at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne for over 20 years. In 2016, she moved to Assisi House in Aston, Pennsylvania, where she served in prayer and hospitality until her death.
Additional ministry work in education included eight years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore at St. Elizabeth School and the Shrine of the Little Flower School. Sister Mary Ann also spent five years in the Diocese of Wilmington serving at St. John the Beloved School, St. Patrick School, and St. Anthony School. She also spent three years in the Allentown Diocese serving as principal at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Minersville.
All services will be held in Assisi House on Thursday, January 13, and will be private. Services will be live-streamed. Viewing at 9:30 A.M. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 A.M. Interment of ashes will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Mary Ann is survived by her sister, Genevieve Cayne; her many nieces and nephews; and her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
Click here to read a more personal memorial write-up on Sister Mary Ann
Live stream will begin at 9:30 A.M. Click here to access:
https://livestream.com/accounts/18363082/SrMaryAnnPotenza
