Aston, PA—Sister Marcella Francis Milhouse, OSF, 63, died in Wilmington, Delaware, on May 9. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 43 years. Sister Marcella Francis (Carolyn Milhouse) was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, and later lived in Media where she was a member of Nativity Parish. Prior to entering the congregation in 1963, she graduated from Notre Dame High School, Moylan. Sister Marcella earned a B.A. in History from Neumann College, an M.Ed. from Millersville University, and an M.PS from Loyola University in New Orleans. She ministered in education both on elementary and secondary levels, and in parish ministry. In her leisure time, Sister Marcella enjoyed studying, and loved all kinds of outdoor activities, as well as dancing and singing.

Sister Marcella ministered with the After-Care Program at St. Anthony Parish in Wilmington, a position she had held since 2005. She had also previously worked with the Meals-on-Wheels Program at St. Anthony Community Center.

Sister Marcella Francis ministered for 22 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She taught at St. Elizabeth School, Lansdale Catholic High School, and Hallahan High School. From 1985-1991 She worked in parish ministry to the elderly at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish. She also worked for a short time at Aston Veterinary Hospital.

Sister Marcella Francis ministered for six years in the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina. From 1992-1995 she served at St. Stanislaus Parish in Castle Hayne and from 1997-2000 was in pastoral ministry at Sea Breeze Evangelization and Community Outreach in Carolina Beach.

Additional ministry experiences included teaching at Shrine of the Little Flower School in Baltimore, Maryland, and working in parish ministry at St. Joseph Parish in Anderson, South Carolina. From 2000-2003 she was pastoral director of St. Elizabeth Parish in Ravenna, Kentucky.

All services will be held in St. Anthony Church, 9th and DuPont Streets in Wilmington. Viewing will be from 6 P.M.-8 P.M. on Tuesday, May 12 and from 9 A.M.- 10 A.M. on Wednesday, May 13. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Marcella Francis is survived by her aunt and uncle, her nieces, 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.