Aston, PA—Sister Frances Schiminsky, OSF, (formerly Sister Ann Philip), 95, died in Assisi House on Monday, October 21, 2024. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 76 years. Sister Frances was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Middle River. She entered the congregation in 1946 and professed her first vows in 1948. She earned a BA in History from Neumann University (then Our Lady of Angels College). She ministered primarily in education and pastoral ministry.
In the very early years of her ministry life, Sister Frances served as a cook at St. Ann Convent in the Wilmington Diocese for one year. She was also a cook at St. Alphonsus Convent and St. Benedict Convent in the Philadelphia Archdiocese for one year each.
Sister Frances ministered for a total of 51 years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. She spent 26 years in education teaching at St. Joseph School, St. Stephen’s School, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, and St. Pius X School, all in Baltimore. Later she served in parish ministry for an additional 24 years at St. Clement Parish in Baltimore and St. Patrick Parish in Havre de Grace.
In the Diocese of Trenton, Sister Frances spent eight years teaching at St. Anthony School and Blessed Sacrament School in Trenton and St. Rose of Lima School in Freehold. She also taught for five years at Holy Trinity School in Boston, Massachusetts; one year at Our Lady of Victory School in Purcell, Oklahoma; one year at Nativity School in Washington, DC; and one year at St. Joseph School in Dallastown, Pennsylvania.
In 2017, Sister Frances moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, Pennsylvania, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.
All services will be held in Assisi House on Friday, October 25, and will be livestreamed. 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 Frances is survived by 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.
For a more personal write-up on Sister Frances, click here.
The livestream will begin at 9:30 A.M. To access the livestream click here: https://www.youtube.com/live/q-mgVF_LVos
