Aston, PA—Sister Rosemary Matt, OSF (formerly Sister Xavier) 91, died in Assisi House on August 17. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 69 years. Sister Rosemary was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of St. Joseph Parish. She entered the congregation in 1940 and professed her first vows in 1942. Sister Rosemary earned a B.S. in Religious Studies from OLA College, now Neumann University. She ministered primarily in elementary education. In later years she worked in congregational ministry and in pastoral ministry. In her leisure time she enjoyed reading and playing word games (Scrabble, Crosswords, and Jumble).

Sister Rosemary ministered for 40 years in the Archdiocese of Boston. Twenty-five of those 40 years were spent at Blessed Sacrament School in Walpole, (1968-1975, 1983-1988, 1993-2007), where she served as both teacher and vice principal. She also taught in the diocese at Holy Trinity School (1951-1961) and Our Lady of Assumption School, Lynnfield (1961-1965, 1992-1993).

Sister Rosemary ministered in the Diocese of Harrisburg for fourteen years. She served in education ministry at Holy Trinity School, Columbia (1941-1948); St. Mary’s School, York (1950-1951); St. Joseph School, Lancaster (1965-1968). From 1948-1950 she was at St. Joseph Hospital in Lancaster and from 1975-1976 she was appointed superior at St. Gertrude Convent in Lebanon.

Sister Rosemary also served six years in the Diocese of Trenton at St. Mary of the Lakes School in Medford (1976-1982).

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Sister Rosemary spent four years from 1988-1992 in parish ministry at Portiuncula Convent. She did volunteer work at Assisi House in Aston from 2007-2008 until moving to Assisi House in 2008 where she served in prayer ministry until her death.

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Tuesday, August 23. 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 Rosemary is survived by her sister, Sister Joella Matt, OSF, 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.