Aston, PA—Sister Paula Marie MacDonnell, OSF, 83, died in Assisi House on October 16. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 54 years. Sister Paula (Pauline Theresa MacDonnell) was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1953, She worked as a secretary and bookkeeper at the Moore Machine Company in Roxbury. Her sister, Sister Mary Grace MacDonnell (now deceased), also entered the congregation. Sister Paula professed her first vows in 1956 and later earned a B.A. in English from Villanova University and an M.A. in Business from the Catholic University of America. She ministered primarily in education, both on elementary and secondary levels, and in parish ministry.

Sister Paula Marie began her years in ministry teaching at St. John School in Wasco, California (1956-1957). A large portion of her ministry experience was spent in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia where she served for 19 years. She taught at Hallahan High School (1963-1968, 1969-1972) and Neumann University (1977-1978). Following her retirement she lived at Our Lady of Angels Convent, Aston (1999-2001). In 2001 she moved to Assisi House where she served in prayer ministry until her death.

Additional ministry experience took Sister Paula Marie from north to south. In the Archdiocese of Boston she taught at both Holy Trinity School in Boston (1958-1961) and Our Lady of the Assumption School in Lynnfield (1961-1963). In the Diocese of Trenton, Sister Paula taught at both Immaculate Conception school (1957-1958) and at St. Anthony High School (1972-1977). Her 14 years of service in the Diocese of Wilmington included teaching at St. Peter High School in New Castle (1968-1969) and working in parish ministry in Holy Child Parish, New Castle (1986-1999). Further south, in the Diocese of Raleigh, she ministered for 7 years at Holy Spirit Parish in Jacksonville, North Carolina (1979-1986).

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Tuesday, October 19. 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 Paula Marie is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Sylvia MacDonnell; her sisters, Marjorie Brennan, Jean Costello, and Barbara Lynch; 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.

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