Sister Mary O’Mahony, OSF (1932 - 2023)
Sister Mary O’Mahony, OSF, (formerly Sister Mary Cornelia), 91, died in Assisi House on Sunday, December 10, 2023. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 72 years. Sister Mary was born in Tureenclassaugh, Knocknagree, County Cork, Ireland, where she was a member of St. Mary Church in Rathmore. She entered the congregation in 1946 and professed her first vows in 1951. She earned a BA in History from the University of San Diego and ministered primarily in education.
Sister Mary served for 25 years in the Diocese of San Bernardino, California, where she taught at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and served as director of attendance at Notre Dame High School, both in Riverside. For 12 years Sister Mary ministered in the San Diego Diocese teaching at both Our Lady of Guadalupe School and the Madeleine School. In the Fresno Diocese, she served as principal at St. John’s Evangelist School for six years. She also served for six years in the San Francisco Diocese as a caregiver in San Bruno.
In Washington, Sister Mary taught for 10 years at St. Charles School in Spokane, and for a year at St. Leo School in Tacoma. She also ministered for four years in the Baker Diocese in Oregon, at both Sacred Heart Academy, Klamath Falls and St. James School, McMinnville.
In 2011 Sister Mary moved east to Philadelphia where she served in local house ministry at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston. She moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, in 2019, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.
All services will be held in Assisi House on Friday, December 15, 2023, and will be livestreamed. 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 Mary is predeceased by her sister, Sister Nora O’Mahony, who was also a member of the congregation. She is survived by her brother John, her sister Sheila, her nieces, and 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.
