Aston, PA— Sister Mary Magdalen Friedel, OSF, died in Assisi House on August 29. She was ninety-nine years of age and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for seventy-seven years. Sister Mary Magdalen (Margaret Mary Friedel) was born in Baltimore, where she was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Middle River. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in 1927, completing her high school studies after her entrance. She later earned a B.S. in Education from the Catholic University of America. Sister Mary Magdalen ministered primarily in elementary education. Her leisure activities included crocheting and working on puzzles.

Sister Mary Magdalen ministered for forty-six years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She taught at St. Bonaventure School (1930-1932); Resurrection School, Chester (1932-1938, 1976-1979); St. Francis de Sales School, Lenni (1939-1942, 1979-1987); St. Ludwig School (1946-1947); Our Lady of Consolation School (1954-1956); Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Doylestown (1956-1960); St. Stanislaus School, Lansdale (1960-1968). From 1973-1976 she lived at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston where she served as assistant to the administrator and worked in the Financial Aid Office of Neumann College. In 2001 Sister Mary Magdalen moved to Assisi House where she served in prayer ministry until her death.

Sister Mary Magdalen ministered for thirteen years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. From 1988-1991 she worked at St. Elizabeth School where she served as assistant to the school librarian. In 1991 she moved to her home parish, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Middle River, where, until 2001 she volunteered in the parish center and in the high school.

Sister Mary Magdalen ministered for twelve years in the Diocese of Allentown. She taught at St. Mauritius School in Ashland (1968-1972) and at Sacred Heart School in Allentown (1947-1954, 1972-1973).

Additional ministry experience included working at St. Francis Home in Roxbury, Massachusetts (1942-1944); St. Boniface School in New Haven, Connecticut (1944-1946); and Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Wilmington, Delaware (1987-1988).

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Friday, August 31. 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 Mary Magdalen is survived by her sister-in-law, Jane Friedel; nieces and nephews; and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.