Aston, PA—Sister William Clare Platt, OSF, 91, died in Assisi House on July 25. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 71 years. Sister William Clare was born in Media, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of Nativity Parish and a graduate of Notre Dame High School. She entered the congregation in 1945 and professed her first vows in 1948. Sister William Clare earned B.S. in Education from Villanova University in 1969 and ministered primarily in elementary education and, in later years, in pastoral services.

During her 45 years of ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Sister William Clare taught at St. Benedict School in Philadelphia and St. Mary School in Schwenksville. She served in pastoral services at St. Francis DeSales Parish in Lenni and at Assisi House (the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston). In 2011 she became a resident at Assisi House and served in prayer and hospitality ministry.

Sister William Clare ministered for 15 years in the Diocese of Harrisburg where she taught at Holy Trinity School in Columbia, St. Joseph School in Lancaster, and St. Joseph School in York.

During her 11 years in the Diocese of Allentown, Sister William Clare taught at St. Francis School in Allentown, St. Bartholomew School in Brockton, St. Francis Home in Orwigsburg, and St. John the Baptist School in Whitehall. She also served as principal of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Minersville.

Additional ministry experience includes teaching at St. James School in West Warwick, Rhode Island, and at St. Nicholas School in Egg Harbor, New Jersey.

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, Aston, Pennsylvania, 19014 on Tuesday, July 30. 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 William Clare is survived by nieces, nephews, great nieces, great 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.