ASTON, Pa.—Franciscan Sister Alma Francis Collins died in Assisi House on Feb. 21. She was 89 and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 70 years. All services were held on March 2, and burial was in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston.
Sister Alma Francis was born Nora Teresa Collins in Bullane, County Cork, Ireland. She entered the congregation in 1937 and professed first vows in 1940.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Mount St. Mary University in Emmitsburg, Md., and a master’s in administration from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She served in elementary education as a teacher and principal.
Sister Alma Francis served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for 27 years.
In the Diocese of Charleston, S.C., she taught at Our Lady of Peace School in North Augusta from 1969 to 1970 and was principal of St. Joseph School in Anderson from 1972 to 1975.
She served in education in the Archdioceses of Baltimore and Washington, both for 15 years, and the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Fla., for seven years.
Sister Alma Francis moved to Assisi House in 2005 and served in prayer ministry until her death.
She is survived by her sisters, Rita Costello and Sara Collins; her brother Thomas Collins; nieces, nephews and cousins; and her Franciscan family.
Donations in her name may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.