Aston, PA—Sister Rose Vattilana, OSF, (formerly Sister Andrew Mary), 96, died in Assisi House on April 13, 2026. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 71 years. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, she was a member of Holy Rosary Parish and a graduate of Pierre S. duPont High School. She entered the congregation in 1953 and professed her first vows in 1955. She earned a B.S. in English from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. She ministered primarily in elementary education and diocesan ministry.
Sister Rose’s early ministry experiences were in Maryland, teaching second and third grade at St. Elizabeth School in Baltimore; second, third, and fourth grades at Our Lady of Lourdes in Bethesda; and fifth grade at St. Bernadette in Silver Spring. She also taught in Delaware at St. Peter’s School in New Castle and St. Ann’s School in Wilmington.
After almost 20 years in elementary education, Sister Rose began diocesan ministry, working as a secretary in the Chancery Office for the Diocese of Wilmington for seven years before moving to the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee and serving as the executive secretary for the Office of Pro-Life Activities, Worship, and Family Life. After three years in this position, she became the Diocesan Director for the Office of Pro-Life Activities and served in this role for an additional six years.
Following her years in Florida, Sister Rose returned to her hometown of Wilmington, where she spent a year at Mary Mother of Hope House. She then relocated to the Archdiocese of Washington, serving at the NCCB/USCC, splitting her brief tenure there between the Tri-Conference Retirement Office and their Department of Education.
She went on to serve for seven years as an administrative assistant and special projects manager for the National Catholic Education Association. Her ministry in Washington, DC, also included work as a tribunal secretary and notary for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, along with volunteer service at the Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown University Hospital and the Cancer Institute Infusion Center at the National Cancer Institute.
After 21 years in Washington, DC, Sister Rose returned once more to her home state of Delaware, where she volunteered for several years at Christiana Care Hospital in Wilmington and with the Talleyville Fire Company.
In 2025, Sister Rose became a resident of Assisi House in Aston, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.
All services will be held in Our Lady of Angels Chapel in Aston on Thursday, April 23, 2026, and will be livestreamed. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M., followed by a Funeral Liturgy at 11 A.M. Sister Rose is survived by her sisters Mary Hartnett and Elizabeth (Dolly) Miranda; her many nieces and nephews; and 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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Read a more personal write-up on Sister Rose.
The livestream will begin on Thursday, April 23 at 9:30 A.M. Watch it live.
