February 23, 2017

OBITUARY: Sister Mary D’Angelo

REGIONAL

(IObserve photos/courtesy of Jan Peters)

HOLYOKE — Franciscan Missionary Sister of Assisi Mary D’Angelo, 74, died on Feb. 21, shortly after leaving her residence at St. Francis Convent, here.

She was born on June 30, 1942 in Penne, Pescara, Italy and entered the community of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi on April 4, 1960. Her investiture in the community was held on May 5, 1962, her temporary profession on May 8, 1963 and her perpetual profession on June 6, 1968, all at Assisi, Italy.

She came to the United States on June 19, 1975 and resided at the former St. Hyacinth Seminary in Granby from 1975-77. From 1977 to 1984, she resided at the Franciscan Friars Novitiate in Ellicott City, Md., where she served as a cook and also was superior of her community. From 1984 to 1990, she again resided at St. Hyacinth Seminary in Granby, serving as cook and laundress, and also made home visits to the elderly.

In 1990, she moved to St. Francis Convent in Holyoke and began serving at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Basilica Parish in Chicopee in bereavement ministry. In 1994, she moved to Madre Angela Convent in Chicopee and continued to serve in bereavement ministry.

Sister D’Angelo served as vice provincial superior of her community from 2003 to 2007.

In 2010, she moved back to St. Francis Convent in Holyoke. She served as superior of the community from 2010-14 and from 2014-17 was vicar of the vice province, also continuing her service in bereavement ministry.

Sister D’Angelo was honored on Feb. 14 at a Farewell Mass held at St. Stanislaus Basilica in Chicopee. On Feb. 16, she returned to Italy, where she died on Feb. 21.