Aston, PA— Sister Rose Ellen McDade, OSF, died in Assisi House on January 20. She was 92 years of age and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 61 years. Sister Rose Ellen (Rose Helena McDade) was born in Jenners, Pennsylvania, but moved to Cumberland, Maryland, as a young girl. There she was a member of St. Patrick Parish and graduated from Catholic Girls’ Central High School in Cumberland. She later attended Catherman’s Business School in Cumberland before entering the congregation in 1943. She lived in Cumberland for a short period (1975-1976) when she served as a caregiver for her mother.

Sister Rose Ellen earned a B.S. from Mt. St. Mary College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, an M.A. from Notre Dame University in Indiana, and additional credits from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, and The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. She ministered primarily in education on both elementary and secondary levels. As a math teacher she was awarded grants to study at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; and Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. In later years, she used her earlier secretarial training by serving as a school secretary. In her leisure time she enjoyed reading, gardening, and working puzzles.

Sister Rose Ellen ministered for twenty-eight years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. She taught at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Middle River (1948-1949, 1956-1960); St. Elizabeth School (1949-1956); and The Catholic High School of Baltimore (1962-1973). After she retired she lived at St. Joseph Medical Center Convent in Towson (1998-2003).

Sister Rose Ellen’s thirteen years of ministry in the Diocese of Wilmington included teaching at St. Paul School (1944-1948); St. Peter School, New Castle (1960-1962); and Padua Academy (1974-1975, 1976-1982).

Sister Rose Ellen ministered for nine years in the Archdiocese of Washington. She taught at St. Bernadette School in Silver Spring from 1973-1974 and returned there as school secretary from 1982-1990.

Sister Rose Ellen also served as school secretary for eight years at St. John Vianney School in Orlando, Florida (1990-1998).

In 2003 Sister Rose Ellen moved to Assisi House, Aston, one of the congregation’s retirement residences. She remained there until her death.

All services were held in Assisi House on Friday, January 27, followed by burial in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Rose Ellen is survived by her brother, Joseph Edward McDade of Mt. Savage, Maryland, 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.