Aug 18 2009 Post-Gazette PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE We 19, 2009 WWW.POST-GAZETTE.COM B-3 By Barry Schweid and Will Lester The Associated Press Political columnist Robert Novak, a conservative, pugilistic debater and proud owner of the of moniker, died yesterday after a battle with brain cancer that was diagnosed in July 2008. He was 78. His wife of 47 years, Geraldine Novak, told The Associated Press that he died at his home in Washington, D.C., early in the morning. A household face as co-host of Mr. Novak had been a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times for decades.
was a Washington institution who could turn an idea into the most discussed story around kitchen tables, congressional offices, the White House, and everywhere in Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in a statement. In recent years, Mr. Novak ended up actually being a part of a big Washington story, in ways he likely never intended, becoming a central figure in the Valerie Plame CIA leak case. Mr. Novak was the first to publish the name of the CIA employee, and he came under withering criticism and abuse from many for that column, which Mr.
Novak said began long and difficult in his career. had a terrific time fulfilling all my youthful dreams and at the same time making life miserable for hypocritical, posturing politicians and, I hope, performing a service for my Mr. Novak wrote in his memoir, Prince of Darkness: 50 Years Reporting in Mr. Novak had been dubbed the of by a journalist friend early in his career, and he embraced it. He wrote in that 2007 memoir that he became proud of the label derived from his pessimism about the prospects for America and Western Mr.
Novak, editor of the Evans-Novak Political Report, is perhaps best known as a co- host of several of political talk shows, where he often jousted with liberal guests from 1980 to 2005. One of the best-known was While he became known as a conservative for his role on and other CNN political shows like Capital he differed with conservatives on many issues, expressing doubts about invading Afghanistan and frequently criticizing the war in Iraq. Mr. Novak wrote in his book about often giving politicians the choice of being a source or a target, a strategy that often produced scoops for his column. With a lengthy list of highly placed sources, a high public profile and a relentless approach to reporting his column, Mr.
Novak produced many scoops. Among those scoops: a 2003 column in which he outed Ms. Plame as a CIA agent. The article was published eight days after Ms. husband, Joseph Wilson, said the Bush administration had twisted prewar intelligence to exaggerate the Iraqi threat of nuclear weapons.
Citing two Bush administration officials, Mr. Novak revealed Ms. Plame worked for the CIA on weapons of mass destruction. That blew her cover as a CIA operative and led to the investigation of who leaked that information, and eventually to the conviction of I. Lewis Libby, Vice President Dick former chief of staff, on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice for lying to investigators about his conversations with reporters about Ms.
Plame. Mr. prison sentence was later commuted by President George W. Bush. In addition to his memoir, Mr.
Novak wrote books about the Republican Party and former Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan. Mr. Novak was born and raised in Joliet, Ill. Following college, he served stateside in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
NEWS OBITUARIES LATEST DEATHS The comprehensive report of recent deaths includes three types of obituaries. News obituaries, prepared by our staff, are published at the discretion of our editors. Classified obituaries are paid death notices prepared by funeral home directors. To place a classified obituary call 412-2631371. To suggest a news obituary, call 412263-1601.
Funeral home directors may also call 412-263-1601 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to note a death for which there is no classified obituary. Those names will be listed under other deaths. CLASSIFIED OBITUARIES ABRAHAM, Mildred, Brookline ARNOLD, Anna M.
Weber, Beechview BARNA, Irene Pymatuning, Mercer County BAYER, Edward Avalon BEST, Florence Jackson, Ga. BETZ, BettyAnn, Bethel Park BLODIS, Nicholas McKees Rocks BOCHEK, Frank Moon BROWN, Mary L. Hetherington, Turtle Creek BURG, Joan M. Carroll, Sheraden CATAFFA, John W. Jr.
CONNORS, Sister Mary Ellen, Baden CONTESTABILE, William Peters CORRY, William Ross DAVIDSON, Catherine, Follansbee, W.Va. DeHAVEN, Esther G. Finleyville, formerly of Bethel Park DEUTSCH, Garrett Andrew, Shaler DOWNING, Wilbert Cranberry EASTERDAY, John Avalon EWERS, Lucille FEDOREK, Darlene South Side FERNEDING, Helen M. Heringer, Upper St. Clair FETTERMAN, John E.
Wilkins FISCHER, Dolores Penn Hills FORD, Pearl E. New York City FRUCELLA, Paul Clearwater, Fla. GAULT, Mercedes Ann Babinger GION, Irene Kasper, St. Petersburg, Fla. GREINER, Charles Eighty Four HARDIN, James Westerville, Ohio HARPER, Frank Edwin Jr.
Moon HARTZELL, Betty C. Waugh, Elliott HECKMAN, Pauline Manns Choice, Bedford County HETRICK, Chester Peters HORBIAK, Evelyn R. Kretschmer, Baldwin Borough HUGHES, David Kennerdell, Venango County HUNT, Fred Mt. Lebanon JONES, Clara, Homewood JURGEVICH, William, Bethel Park KOTOMSKI, Raymond J. Pierpont, Ohio KOVATCH, Ellen Margaret, Penn Hills KROBER, Shirley L.
Rygielski, Morningside LaPLACE, Thomas A. III Baldwin Borough LEAVER, Lavina Shaler LEE, Alexander G. Monroeville LEE, Junita Shepard, Carnegie LIGHTNER, Louise Mt. Lebanon LITTLE, Wendy Munhall MADER, Albert W. Puyallup, Wash.
MARINO, Blanche Caniglia, Coraopolis McCOY, Esther C. Thompson, McKees Rocks McPHERSON, Harold Lee, Forest Hills MEDLIN, George A. III, West View MOTZNIK, Rose Marie, Brookline NYAPAS, George Leonidas PARTYKA, Frances J. McMonagle, Bethel Park PERKINS, Mary Elizabeth, East Liberty RALUTZ, Barbara L. Reljac, North Side ROMANO, Agustina Franze, Heidelberg ROWLEY, Roberta Martin, Green Tree RUBEL, Linda J.
Burkhart, Plum, formerly of Turtle Creek SCHAEFER, Gerald Somerset, Somerset County SCHULTZ, Anna, Penn Hills SCOPEL, Charles Mt. Lebanon SEIBEL, Robert Mt. Lebanon SEYBERT, Phyllis Stultz, Somerset SHAKELY, Jane Leese, Evans City SLOVICK, David North Fayette SMITH, Vera Myrtle Beach, S.C. SULLIVAN, Helen Whitehall SVITEK, Stephen Bethel Park WEBER, Mary L.C., Swisshelm Park WEHAR, Dorothy Hast, Bethel Park WEISBAND, Benjamin McKeesport WEISSERT, Dolores Fassinger Erie WINKLER, Rose Kotler, Squirrel Hill OTHER DEATHS CUTRARY, Daniel, Larimer DIXON, Lucille A. Merlino, Bloomfield KENDREW, Anna Rochester Borough VARRATO, Edmond Blairsville, Indiana County Nobel winner as S.
Korea president By Barbara Demick Los Angeles Times Kim Dae-jung, a former dissident who survived three assassination attempts, one death sentence and six years in prison to become South president and its first Nobel laureate, died yesterday in Seoul after a long bout of pneumonia. He was 85. South president from 1998 to 2003, Mr. Kim is best known for the moment on June 13, 2000, when he stepped onto the tarmac at airport with arms outstretched to embrace North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. That landmark meeting, which was supposed to end 50 years of enmity between the Koreas, won Mr.
Kim the Nobel Peace Prize. But Mr. Kim lived just long enough to see his unraveling as a result of North continued nuclear ambitions and the installation last year of a conservative president in South Korea. The meeting in Pyongyang was one of many dramatic moments in a most eventful life. There was the time in 1973 when Mr.
Kim found himself on a boat blindfolded and manacled, his limbs encased in concrete about to be tossed overboard by assassins presumably working for South military dictatorship. And there was his return from exile in the United States in 1985, when he arrived at airport flanked by U.S. congressmen, only to be immediately seized and placed under house arrest. After four decades as the most famous dissident, Mr. Kim (often referred to by his nickname D.J.
to distinguish him from other Kims in public life) became president in 1998. By daring to meet with Kim Jong Il, he established what many think is an irreversible course of rapprochement between the estranged Koreas. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his of engaging North Korea and his lifelong struggle for democratization. Bur his final years were spent in frustration. He was disappointed by Kim Jong failure to reciprocate for the Pyongyang summit with a visit to Seoul, as well as by the skeptical attitude he encountered from President George W.
administration. Just five months after winning the Nobel Prize, Mr. Kim was humiliated during a White House visit when Mr. Bush, newly inaugurated, was dismis- sive of the idea that one could negotiate with North Korea. I understand fully why the North Korean leadership is not very likable, it is in the interests of global peace to pursue the policy of Mr.
Kim told Mr. Bush, the South Korean leader later told the Los Angeles Times. In 1993, Mr. Kim accepted an invitation to serve on the La Roche College board of trustees. His appointment to the board came at a time when the late Msg.
William Kerr, then the president, was engaged in efforts to extend the international reach of the McCandless- based college. In a letter accepting the appointment, Mr. Kim said he hoped he might be able to help the college establish a Korean studies program. Kerr had met Mr. Kim in Washington, D.C., in 1988 while the monsignor was vice president of university relations at Catholic University, according to the La Roche College alumni magazine.
Mr. Kim spent his later years fending off political scandals. His youngest son was charged with taking bribes from a lobbyist. The revelation that Mr. aides secretly ordered the transfer of $500 million to North Korea before the meeting with Kim Jong Il led to charges that he had bought the summit and hence the Nobel Peace Prize.
Post-Gazette staff writer Bill Schackner contributed to this report. KIM DAE-JUNG Jan. 6, 1924 Aug. 18, 2009 Political columnist, co-host ROBERT NOVAK Died Aug. 18, 2009 Kim Dae-jung Cont.
on Next Page CONTESTABILE WILLIAM R. Of McMurray, formerly of Bon Air, age 77, on Monday, August 17, 2009. Beloved husband of Judith (Gould) Contestabile; loving father of Beth (Chris) Belasco and Toni Contestabile; brother of Dom and the late Edward and Alfred. Also survived by his faithful pets, Angel, Emme, Maggie, and Marley. Funeral arrangements by BEINHAUERS.
Friends welcome at 2828 Washington Road, Peters Township, 724-941-3211, Thursday 3 PM until the time of Blessing Service at 8 PM. Interment is private. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to the Washington Area Humane Society, P.O. Box 66, Eighty-Four, PA 15330. Please add or view Tributes at www.beinhauerfamilyservices.com Send condolences at CORRY WILLIAM P.
Of Ross on Tuesday, August 18, 2009. Beloved husband of Helen (Nicolette) Corry; father of Mark F. Corry, William P. Corry (Darcy) and Sean D. Corry; grandfather of Alexis, Lindsay, William III, Helena and Shane.
Friends received Wednesday 2-4 and 6-8 at T.B. DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME, 806 Perry North Hills. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Sebastian Church Thursday 10am. Bill was a WWII and Korean War Marine Veteran.
Send condolences at Classified Obituaries ARNOLD ANNA M. (WEBER) Age 73, of Beechview, on Saturday, August 15, 2009; beloved wife of the late Henry J. Arnold; loving mother of Anna Marie Konick, Linda Lauer, Paul, David and Daniel Arnold; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister of Edward and Robert Weber, Madeline Arnold and the late Joseph and George Weber. Friends received 1-8 p.m. WEDNESDAY ONLY at BRUSCO- NAPIER FUNERAL SERVICE, Broadway and Shiras Beechview.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Catherine of Siena Church on Thursday 10 a.m. Interment in Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Send condolences at BARNA IRENE P. Of Pymatuning, formerly of Library, on Sunday, August 16, 2009, age 77.
Wife of the late John Barna; beloved mother of Marc, Sharon Martin, Wayne and the late Scott; sister of Phyllis Leahey, Margaret Orosz and the late Ann Parish, Dorothy Petrich, John and Mike Haver; grandmother of Josh, Philip Emily, Maria, Jenna, Sam and the late Tamara Martin; great grandmother of Riley and Jack. Visitation Wednesday 7-9pm and Thursday 2-4 and 7-9pm at the DAVID J. HENNEY FUNERAL HOME, 6364 Library Road (Rt. 88) Library, where a Blessing Service will be Friday at 11am. Send condolences at BAYER EDWARD F.
On Monday, August 17, 2009, Edward F. Bayer, age 82, of Avalon, devoted husband of the late Rose Ann (Mooney) Bayer; beloved father of Celine (Gary) Haynes of Cranberry Township and Edward J. (Sandy) Bayer of Gibsonia; brother of John Bayer and the late Ermina, Walter, Dolores and Martha; loving grandfather of Jason, Gary Jarrett Haynes and Lauren Ann Bayer; also survived by nieces and nephews. Ed was employed by the Catholic Cemetery Association at North Side Catholic Cemetery for 46 years. He was a US Navy Veteran of WWII where he served on the USS LCS (L) 104, more commonly known as the "Mighty Ed was a member of the West View VFW Post 2754 and Church of the Assumption.
Friends received Wednesday 7:00 9:00 pm and Thursday from 2:00 4:00 pm and 7:00 9:00 pm at the LAWRENCE T. MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 460 Lincoln Avenue, Bellevue. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Church of the Assumption, Bellevue, on Friday at 11:00 am. Memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Assumption, 45 N. Sprague PA 15202.
www.ltmillerfuneralhome.com Send condolences at BEST FLORENCE E. Age 79, of Jackson, GA, formerly of Mars, died Saturday evening, August 15, 2009, at Spalding Regional Hospital in Griffin, GA. Born in Oil City, PA on July 30, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Theodore and Cora Leda Myers. Mrs. Best was a Registered Nurse at Shadyside Hospital, and also for United Cerebral Palsy of Pittsburgh.
For the past 12 years, she, her daughter, Leda, and son, Bill, owned and operated High Falls Campground in Barnesville, GA. Surviving are four daughters, Pamela Best of Cranberry Leda Best of Jackson, Heidi Travis of Butler, and Rebecca Ahlgren, and her husband, William, of Cranberry three sons, Edward Best of Panama City, Michael Best, and his wife, Patricia, of Butler, and William Best, and his wife, Tracy, of Barnesville, GA. Grandmother of Michael Best, Kelly Stewart, Diane Robbins, Katielyn and Sara Ahlgren, Zachary, Damian and Samantha Travis, and Andrew Best, great grandmother of Brady and Carson Stewart, and Gwyneth Robbins. A sister, Marian Apel, and her husband, Edwin, of Knox, PA, and two BEST FLORENCE E. Age 79, of Jackson, GA, formerly of Mars, died Saturday evening, August 15, 2009, at Spalding Regional Hospital in Griffin, GA.
Born in Oil City, PA on July 30, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Theodore and Cora Leda Myers. Mrs. Best was a Registered Nurse at Shadyside Hospital, and also for United Cerebral Palsy of Pittsburgh. For the past 12 years, she, her daughter, Leda, and son, Bill, owned and operated High Falls Campground in Barnesville, GA. Surviving are four daughters, Pamela Best of Cranberry Leda Best of Jackson, Heidi Travis of Butler, and Rebecca Ahlgren, and her husband, William, of Cranberry three sons, Edward Best of Panama City, Michael Best, and his wife, Patricia, of Butler, and William Best, and his wife, Tracy, of Barnesville, GA.
Grandmother of Michael Best, Kelly Stewart, Diane Robbins, Katielyn and Sara Ahlgren, Zachary, Damian and Samantha Travis, and Andrew Best, great grandmother of Brady and Carson Stewart, and Gwyneth Robbins. A sister, Marian Apel, and her husband, Edwin, of Knox, PA, and two brothers-in-law, James Miller of Allison Park, PA, and Thomas Cromer in Colorado. Also many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward H. Best, who died in July of 1983, and by two sisters, Dorothy Miller and Twila Cromer.
There will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Butler County Memorial Park, Butler, PA. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. Arrangements are under the direction of the McDONALD-AEBERLI FUNERAL HOME, INC.
238 Crowe Ave. Mars, PA and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com. Send condolences at BETZ BETTYANN Age 55, of Bethel Park on Saturday August 15, 2009 at home, she is survived by daughter Dava Ann Betz; three grandchildren Tyler, Kadyn, and Gavin; her parents Robert V. and Phoebe G. McGahey; and sister Mary Jean McGahey.
She was preceded in death by brother Stanley McGahey. BettyAnn graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a computer science degree and worked in various capacities as office manager, financial systems, and programming improvements in handling finance and payroll information for her employers. Funeral arrangements by BEINHAUERS. Service and interment private. Memorial contributions may be made to Family Hospice Palliative Care, 50 Moffett PA 15243.
Please add and view tributes at: beinhauerfamilyservices.com Send condolences at BLODIS NICHOLAS J. Age 93, of McKees Rocks, on his birthday, August 17, 2009. Beloved husband of the late Anna Rose (McMahon); Loving father of Pat (Ron) Beran, Maureen (Joe) Rzepecki, Jack (Stephanie) Mueller, Nicholas (Denise) Blodis; Six Grandchildren Five Great Grandchildren; Brother of Lucille Byrd and the late Henry Blodis, Sr. Marion Blodis and Genevieve Blodis. Friends received 2-4 6-8pm WEDNESDAY at McDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, 1225 Chartiers Avenue, McKees Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, St.
John of God Parish, the Church of St. Mary's. Nick served with the US Army Air Corps, BROWN MARY L. (HETHERINGTON) Of Turtle Creek, age 90, on Saturday, August 15, 2009. Beloved mother of Gloria Sekely (Gilbert) of Turtle Creek, Linda Silverio (Dennis) of FL, Robert Brown (Sarah Jane) of Linesville, PA, Colton Jay Brown (Deborah) of Turtle Creek, Bonnie Torrance (Tom) of NC and Shirley Brown of Turtle Creek; sister of Bill Hetherington of McKeesport; also survived by 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.
Friends welcome Thursday 2-4 and 6-8 at PATRICK T. LANIGAN FUNERAL HOME, Turtle Chapel 1111 Monroeville Ave. at James Turtle Creek 412-823-9350 where a Blessing Service will be held Thursday at 8 p.m. Send condolences at BURG JOAN M. (CARROLL) Age 80, unexpectedly on Tues.
Aug. 18, 2009, of Sheraden. Beloved wife of the late Charles P. Burg, mother of Peggy (Chuck) Lang, Charles and the late Keith (Carol) and James (Barbara) Burg; grandmother of Andrew and Maggie Lang, Matthew, Kelly, Ryan, Stacy, Christopher and Megan Burg and Amanda Andrews; great grandmother of Jacob Burg and Abigail Jesensky. Friends received THURSDAY 2-4 and 6-8pm at WM.
F. CONROY FUNERAL HOME, 2944 Chartiers Sheraden. Funeral Mass in Holy Innocents Church, Friday 10am. Send condolences at CONNORS SISTER MARY ELLEN, CSJ 84, died Tuesday, August 18, at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph in her 56th year as a Sister of St.
Joseph of Baden. The daughter of the late Patrick and Nellie Driscoll Connors, Sister Mary Ellen entered the Congregation from St. Canice Parish, Pittsburgh. first ministry, which began in 1956, was in teaching. She was at St.
Titus School, Aliquippa, Quigley High School, Baden, and then at St. Raphael High School, Morningside from 1957-67. It was in 1967 that Sister Mary Ellen first served as Secretary to the Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph. For 33 years skills as an Administrative Assistant were a blessing to the ABRAHAM MILDRED Age 97, was called home to be with her mother Hafesa, her father Mike, her sister Jennie and brothers Mike and James.
She is the beloved aunt of Arlene LeClaire-Hanlon (Bill), Josie Anderson (Bill), Linda Davis (Bill), Roseanne Jones (Darrell) and Jim Abraham Jr. (Faith); sister-in-law of Rose and Edith Abraham; also many great nieces and nephews. Special friend of Beth Fulmer and family Friends may call at FRANK F. DeBOR FUNERAL HOME, 1065 Brookline Blvd. 412-561-0380 Thursday only 2-4 and 6-8pm.
Funeral Liturgy Friday at 11am in St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Trisagion Service Wednesday at 7pm. www.deborfuneralhome.com Send condolences at BOCHEK FRANK J. Age 72, of Moon Township, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2009 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. Beloved husband for 43 years to Harriet (Weiler) Bochek; loving father of Tracey (David) Eiben and Deborah Bochek; proud grandfather of twins Matthew and Steven Eiben; brother of Carl (Tracie) Fritz, Jr.
and the late Frances Marie Sensky; brother-in-law to Anthony Sensky; nephew of Rose Susa; also many other relatives and dear friends. Forty-five years with the FAA as an electronic technician at Greater Pittsburgh Airport. Served in the U.S. Air Force. He will be greatly missed for his kind nature and generosity in helping family Friends, Fix An avid fisherman, he enjoyed the tranquility of the water.
Visitation Thursday 10 AM 9 PM at MOON TOWNSHIP, 981 Brodhead Rd. where Blessing Service will be held on Friday at 10 AM. Burial at Resurrection Cemetery with full military honors. Family will accept flowers or donations in his name to Valley Ambulance Authority, University Moon PA 15108. Send condolences at CATAFFA JOHN JR.
58, of Rochester, passed away Monday, Aug. 17, 2009, in the Heritage Valley, Beaver, PA. Born May 24, 1951, in Girard, OH, he was a son of the late John Sr. and Mary (Senediak) Cataffa. Mr.
Cataffa was a retired employee of Norfolk Southern Railroad and a member of the Rochester BPO Elks. He was a professional singer for most of his life, singing in many local bands including The Roadshow, New Zoo Revue, Freelance and The Look. Surviving are his wife of 9 years Faith (Romeo) Cataffa, a daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Benjamin Campbell of Cheswick, a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Jo Cataffa of Girard OH, his mother-in-law Esther Romeo of Beaver, 3 nephews and a niece, Richard Scott, Jeffrey and Sherri Cataffa, and his precious puppy Friends will be received Thursday from 4-8pm in TATALOVICH FUNERAL HOME, Center Twp location, 3475 Brodhead Rd, Monaca, PA 15061, where a service will be held Friday at followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Monaca. Entombment will follow in Mt.
Olivet Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum, Hopewell Twp. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 915 State Erie, PA 16501 or online at kanziuscancerresearch.com Send condolences at BLODIS NICHOLAS J. Age 93, of McKees Rocks, on his birthday, August 17, 2009. Beloved husband of the late Anna Rose (McMahon); Loving father of Pat (Ron) Beran, Maureen (Joe) Rzepecki, Jack (Stephanie) Mueller, Nicholas (Denise) Blodis; Six Grandchildren Five Great Grandchildren; Brother of Lucille Byrd and the late Henry Blodis, Sr. Marion Blodis and Genevieve Blodis.
Friends received 2-4 6-8pm WEDNESDAY at McDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, 1225 Chartiers Avenue, McKees Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, St. John of God Parish, the Church of St. Mary's. Nick served with the US Army Air Corps, 421st Night Fighter Squadron in the Pacific Theatre, during WW II. Send condolences at CONNORS SISTER MARY ELLEN, CSJ 84, died Tuesday, August 18, at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St.
Joseph in her 56th year as a Sister of St. Joseph of Baden. The daughter of the late Patrick and Nellie Driscoll Connors, Sister Mary Ellen entered the Congregation from St. Canice Parish, Pittsburgh. first ministry, which began in 1956, was in teaching.
She was at St. Titus School, Aliquippa, Quigley High School, Baden, and then at St. Raphael High School, Morningside from 1957-67. It was in 1967 that Sister Mary Ellen first served as Secretary to the Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
For 33 years skills as an Administrative Assistant were a blessing to the Leadership of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Sister served as Secretary for the Superior from 1967-1993, and for the Congregational Moderator of the Leadership Team from 1993-2001. After retirement, she volunteered in the Benefits Office at the Motherhouse. Sister Mary Ellen will be remembered for the professional quality of her clerical expertise, her keen sense of humor, and her kind presence to others.
Sister was preceded in death by her sister, Sister Monica, who was also a Sister of St. Joseph. Sister Mary Ellen is survived by nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden. Friends will be received Wednesday from 1-8 p.m.
and Thursday from 11 a.m. 3:30 p.m. at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 4 p.m.
in the Motherhouse Chapel in Baden. Burial will follow in the Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds. Donations in the name of Sister Mary Ellen may be sent to the Sisters of St. Joseph Memorial Fund, St. Joseph Convent, 1020 State Street, Baden, PA 15005.
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