Aston, PA—Sister Marie Inez Gonzales, OSF, 85, died in Assisi House on Wednesday, June 19. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 66 years. Sister Marie Inez was born Consuella Philomena in La Union, New Mexico, and was a member of St. John Parish in Wasco, California, when she entered the congregation in 1950.  She professed her first vows in 1953. Sister Marie Inez earned a BA in Education from Fort Wright College in Spokane. She ministered primarily in elementary education and Hispanic ministry.

Sister Marie Inez ministered for 17 years in the Diocese of San Diego serving at Our Lady of Guadalupe School and Mission San Antonio de Pala.  She also spent 13 years in the Diocese of Spokane as a teacher at St. Charles School and as a student at St. Ann’s.

Sister Marie’s ministry in Portland, Oregon, spanned nine years where she worked in Hispanic ministry at St. Luke Parish in Woodburn.  She also spent nine years in the Fresno diocese where she worked as a volunteer at Palm Avenue School in Wasco and was a caregiver to family members. In her nine years in the San Bernardino diocese she ministered at St. Edward’s Parish in Corona.  Additional ministry included one year at St. Stephen’s Mission in Wyoming.

Sister Marie Inez moved to St. Ann Covent in Tacoma in 2011 where she served in prayer ministry.  When that closed in 2018, Sister Marie moved to the sister’s retirement home on the east coast, Assisi House, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, Aston, Pennsylvania, 19014 on Monday, June 24.  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 Marie is survived by her two sisters, Mary Ann Gonzales, Emily Romo, a niece, 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.