Aston, PA—Sister Nancy Crossen, OSF, (formerly Sister Mark Francis), 94, died in Assisi House on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 74 years. Sister Nancy was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, where she was a member of St. Coleman Parish, Turtle Creek, and a graduate of St. Thomas High School in Braddock. She entered the congregation in 1946 and professed her first vows in 1949.  She earned a BS in education/mathematics from Mount St. Mary’s College and an MA in mathematics from the University of Delaware. She ministered primarily in education.

Sister Nancy ministered for 23 years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore where she taught at St. Anthony School, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, and The Catholic High School of Baltimore.  She also served for 16 years in the congregation’s provincial residence in Baltimore, first as the coordinator of ministry and later as vice provincial.

Sister Nancy served for 16 years in the Diocese of Wilmington in education ministry.  She taught at St. Thomas School, St. Patrick School, St. Mark’s High School, St. Paul School, and All Saints School in Wilmington.  In addition, she volunteered for one year at Holy Angels School in Newark and spent one year in local house ministry in Greenville.

For 19 years, Sister Nancy served as principal at Most Pure Heart of Mary School in Mobile, Alabama. She also taught for eight years at Our Lady of Peace School in North Augusta, South Carolina, in the Diocese of Charleston.

In 2015 she moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

All services will be held in Assisi House on Tuesday, February 14 and will be livestreamed. 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 Nancy is survived by her sister Agnes, her 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.

For a more personal write-up about Sister Nancy, Click Here.