Aston, PA — Sister Novella Wind, OSF, died in Assisi House on March 29. She was ninety-six years of age and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for seventy-nine years. Sister Novella (Rose Mary Wind) was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of Sacred Heart Parish. She entered the congregation in 1925. She earned a B.S. in Education from Villanova University. Sister Novella ministered primarily in the field of elementary education, teaching children from grades two through six. She began her teaching career at St. Boniface School in New Haven, Connecticut (1926-1931). Even after she retired from full-time teaching, she continued tutoring children at the schools where she ministered. She also enjoyed reading and crocheting and especially enjoyed making baby blankets for children who are poor.
Sister Novella ministered for twenty-eight years in the Diocese of Harrisburg, fifteen of those years at Holy Trinity School, Columbia (1931-1934, 1943-1944, 1951-1962). She also taught at St. Joseph School, Dallastown (1944-1946, 1983-1986); St. Mary School, York (1949-1951); and St. Joseph School York (1977-1983).
Sister Novella also ministered for twenty years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. From 1986-1996 she lived at Our Lady of Angels Convent, the congregation’s motherhouse in Aston, where she assisted in the dining room and visited the sick. In 1996 she moved to Assisi House where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
Sister Novella’s twenty years of ministry in the Diocese of Trenton included teaching at Immaculate Conception School, Trenton (1934-1936); St. Michael Orphanage, Hopewell (1946-1949); Corpus Christi School, Willingboro (1962-1971); and Blessed Sacrament School, Trenton (1971-1977).
Sister Novella ministered for six years in the Archdiocese of Boston, teaching at Holy Trinity School in Boston from 1937-1943. She also served for a short time in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, teaching at St. Agnes School in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania (1936-1937).
All services were held in Assisi House on Monday, April 3, followed by burial in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Novella is survived by 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.
