Aston, PA—Sister Regina Dengler, OSF, 90, (formerly Sister John Ignatius) died in Assisi House on April 3. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 66 years. Sister Regina was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a member of St. Katherine Parish and a graduate of Seton High School. She entered the congregation in 1945 and professed her first vows in 1947. She earned a earned a B.S. in Education from Marywood University, Scranton, in 1956 and an M.A. in Business Education from the College of St. Rose, Albany, in 1965. Sr. Regina ministered for many years in secondary education as a business teacher and department chair.
Sister Regina ministered in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for 32 years. She taught at St. Benedict School (1946-1947), Hallahan High School (1947-1956), and Lansdale Catholic High School (1956-1969). In 2004 she moved to Assisi House in Aston where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
Sister Regina ministered for seven years in the Diocese of Allentown where she taught at Central Catholic High School (1969-1976). She then moved to the Diocese of Harrisburg where she taught at York Catholic High School for 14 years (1976-1990).
In her later years in active ministry, Sister Regina ministered in social services and in pastoral care. She served for 10 years in the Diocese of Wilmington. From 1993-1997 she worked at St. Martin’s House in Ridgely, Maryland, a ministry sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters providing transitional services for homeless women and their children. From 1998-2004 she worked at Guardian Angels Day Care in Wilmington, one of the Ministry of Caring services.
From 1992-1993 and again from 1997-1998, Sister Regina ministered in pastoral care at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, Maryland. Additional ministry included serving as provincial secretary for the former St. Anthony Province of the Sisters of St. Francis (1990-1991). Her work in this position was based in Trenton, New Jersey.
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, Aston, on Monday, April 8. 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 Regina is survived by 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.
