Compiled by
Joe Novetsky

Sister Gemma Cascio
Sister Gemma Cascio, O.S.F., died Feb. 9, 2005. She was 84 and in the religious life for 68 years. Born in Philadelphia, Sister Gemma entered the Franciscan Sisters of Ringwood, which merged with the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in 1934. She celebrated her diamond jubilee in 2004. Sister Gemma ministered in the Paterson Diocese for 40 years. She also served in the Brooklyn, Rockville Center and Albany Dioceses and the Newark Archdiocese. The funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 11 at Mt. St. Francis Convent, Ringwood, N.J. Burial was at the community cemetery. Surviving are a sister, Catherine Iuliano and members of her congregation.

Sister Gertrude Conway
Sister M. Gertrude Anne Conway, I.H.M., the former Gertrude P. Conway, died Feb. 11, 2005. She was 79. Born in Philadelphia, Sister Gertrude Anne entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1942. She served in the Philadelphia Archdiocese and the Harrisburg Diocese and retired to Camilla Hall, Immaculata, in 2004. The funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 18 at Camilla Hall. Burial was at Immaculata. Surviving are members of her congregation.

Thomas Davis
Thomas M. Davis, 83, of Longport, N.J., husband of Margaret Davis (born O’Neill), died Feb. 5, 2005. He was formerly of St. John Bosco Parish, Hatboro. The funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 9 at Epiphany Church, Longport. Burial was at Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery, Estell Manor, N.J.
Mr. Davis was predeceased by his first wife, Elizabeth Moore Davis.

Joseph Dorsey
Joseph C. Dorsey died Feb. 19, 2005. Mr. Dorsey was a 1938 graduate of Roman Catholic High School and a 1942 graduate of Villanova University. He was a retired employee of Philadelphia Electric Co. and a member of the Men of Malvern. The funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 25 at Resurrection of Our Lord Church. Burial was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham.

Sister Miriam Hannan
Sister Miriam Edward Hannan, I.H.M., the former Dorothy Hannan, died Feb. 16, 2005 at the age of 91. Sister Miriam Edward entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1930. She served in the Philadelphia Archdiocese and the Harrisburg Diocese. She retired to Camilla Hall, Immaculata, in 1997. The funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 21 at Camilla Hall. Burial was at Immaculata. Surviving are members of her congregation.

Josephine Hegar
Josephine F. Hegar (born Donahue), 85, wife of John J. Hegar, of Upper Darby and formerly of Wildwood Crest, N.J., died Feb. 26, 2005. Mrs. Hegar worked for American Mutual Insurance for 30 years. She retired in 1962. The funeral Mass was celebrated March 3 at St. Laurence Church, Highland Park. Burial was at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield. She was a sister of Edward Donahue; sister-in-law of Eugene Hegar; sister-in-law of Sheila Hegar. Also survived by nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews.

Sister Grace Kirchner
Sister Grace Francis Kirchner, O.S.F., died Feb. 18, 2005. She was 91 and a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 69 years. Sister Grace Francis was born in Lancaster. She ministered in the Philadelphia Archdiocese for 35 years. She taught at Little Flower, John W. Hallahan and St. Hubert High Schools. She also served at Neumann College. Sister Grace Francis also ministered in the Trenton, Harrisburg, Spokane and Wilmington Dioceses and the Baltimore Archdiocese. She also seved in Puerto Rico. She moved to Assisi House, Aston, in 2003. The funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 23 at Assisi House. Burial was at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Aston. Surviving are a sister, Sister Pauline Kirchner, nieces, nephews and members of her congregation.

Helen Maguire
Helen A. Maguire (born Ahern), 77, of Blue Bell, wife of the late Robert M. Maguire, died March 1, 2005. Mrs. Maguire was a graduate of Immaculate Heart Academy, Fountain Springs, Pa. She was a former employee of Whitpain Township and was Occupational Priviledge Tax Receiver for 20 years. The funeral Mass was celebrated March 4 at Epiphany of Our Lord Church, Plymouth Meeting. Burial was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham. She was the mother of Diane Maguire, Deborah Hobbs, Susan O’Connor, Eileen Maginnis and Jennifer Princivalle. Also survived by 14 grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Sister Patricia McMenamin
Sister Patricia McMenamin, G.N.S.H., 74, formerly known as Sister Thomas Dorothy, died Feb. 9, 2005 in the 57th year of her religious life. Sister Patricia entered the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart after graduating from Little Flower High School in 1948. Her 50-year career as an educator included 15 years at CORA Services in Philadelphia. The funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 12 at the Grey Nuns’ motherhouse. Surviving are three sisters, Sister Therese Aloysius, SNDdeN., Dorothy Tobey and Eileen Cardy; nieces and nephews and members of her congregation.

Sister Mary Ratajczak
Sister Mary Fabiola Ratajczak, C.S.S.F., the former Helen Ratajczak, died Feb. 10, 2005. She was 91 and a Felician Sister for 71 years. She was an educator at schools in New Jersey, Pennsylania and Delaware. The funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 14 at the Felician Sisters’ infirmary at Lodi, N.J. Burial was at the community cemetery. Surviving are a sister, Frances Ratajczak; nephews and members of her congregation.

Sister Mary Szaroleta
Sister Mary Gilbert Szaroleta, C.S.S.F., the former Mary Szaroleta, died Feb. 19, 2005. She was 91 and entered the Felician Sisters in 1932. She served in schools in New Jersey and Delaware. The funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 22 at the infirmary in Lodi, N.J. Burial was at Lodi. Surviving are a sister, Cecilia Skarzynski; a brother; Sylvester Szaroleta and members of her congregation.