Aston, PA—Sister Susan Kathleen Dentz (formerly Sister Marie Mercedes), 90, died in Assisi House on Thursday, September 22, 2022. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 69 years. Sister Susan was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a member of St. Rita Parish in Dundalk and a graduate of The Catholic High School of Baltimore. She entered the congregation in 1950 and professed her first vows in 1953.  She earned a BS in secondary education with an emphasis in social studies from Villanova University, an MA in educational administration from The Catholic University of America, and an MA in spirituality from Creighton University.  She ministered primarily in elementary education and retreat work.

Sister Susan ministered for 44 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She was a classroom and music teacher and taught at All Saints School, St. John the Baptist Elementary School, and St. Ludwig School in Philadelphia; Immaculate Conception School in Marcus Hook; and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Doylestown.  Sister Susan served for four years as principal at St. Francis de Sales School in Aston as well as one year as principal at St. Elizabeth Elementary School in Philadelphia. In later years Sister Susan ministered in parish and retreat work. She served for six years as director of adult spirituality at Our Mother of Consolation Parish in Philadelphia.  Sister Susan then spent seven years in retreat work at both St. Basil the Great Parish, Kimberton and at the San Damiano Center in Aston.  She also ministered for three years in local house ministry at Queen of Peace Convent in Aston.  In 2016 she moved to Assisi House in Aston, Pennsylvania, where she served in prayer and hospitality until her death.

Additional ministry work included 15 years in the Allentown Diocese in retreat work at the Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth, Wernersville.  She also served for seven years in the Diocese of Trenton at the San Alfonso Retreat House in Trenton.

All services will be held in Assisi House on Tuesday, September 27. Services will be livestreamed for friends and family.  A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M. followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial at will be at 11 A.M. Interment of Ashes will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Susan is survived by her sister, Barbara Dentz; her sister-in-law, Nancy Smith-Dentz; her nieces and nephew, 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.

For a more personal write-up about Sister Susan, click here.