Obituary of Maria Josephine D'Angelo

D’ANGELO – Sister Maria Josephine, RSM, 88, a member of Mid-Atlantic Community of the Sisters of Mercy, died Nov. 27, 2012, at Mercy Center, Dallas, Pa. Born March 19, 1924, in Philadelphia, daughter of the late Joseph and Lucy (Caruso) D’Angelo. Preceded in death by sister, Sister Maria Regina D’Angelo, RSM. Survived by siblings, Patricia Schneider, Deerfield Beach, Fla.; Joseph, Bradenton, Fla.; and John, Warrington, Pa.; nieces, nephews and her Sisters of Mercy family. Sister graduated from South Philadelphia High School for Girls, and obtained her bachelor’s degree from Moore Institute of Art, Philadelphia. She received her master’s degree in fine arts from Notre Dame University. While her background was in traditional painting, she acquired an appreciation for abstract art while at Notre Dame. Sister entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1948, and took her vows on March 12, 1951. She was assigned to Mount Aloysius, where she witnessed many changes from the days of the all-women Mount Aloysius Jr. College, through the move to co-educational status in 1968, and then through the transition to the four-year institution, known today as Mount Aloysius College. Her greatest cultural contribution to the Cresson region was the Mount Aloysius Art Alliance, which she founded in 1989. In 2001, Sister was recognized by the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, with its Service to the Arts Award, for her impact on the development of art in the region. In 2006, she became an active member of the prayer ministry at Mercy Center, where she continued support to her students through prayer. Family and friends will be received from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Charles M. Kennedy Funeral Home, Cresson. Committal service with interment will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Sisters of Mercy Cemetery, Mount Aloysius College, Cresson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Sister Maria Josephine, may be made to General Scholarship Fund, Mount Aloysius College, 7373 Admiral Peary Highway, Cresson, Pa. 16630, or to Mercy Center, P.O. Box 370, Dallas, Pa. 18612.