Long-time educator Sister Nancy Crossen, OSF, dies at 94
Sister Nancy Crossen, OSF, passed away Feb. 7 at age 94. She was a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 74 years. Sister Nancy was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and a graduate of St. Thomas High School in Braddock. She entered the congregation in 1946 and professed her first vows in 1949.
Sister Nancy Crossen, OSF, passed away Feb. 7 at age 94. She was a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 74 years. Sister Nancy was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and a graduate of St. Thomas High School in Braddock. She entered the congregation in 1946 and professed her first vows in 1949.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in education and mathematics from Mount St. Mary’s College and an Master of Arts in mathematics from the University of Delaware. Her career was primarily in education.
Sister Nancy ministered for 23 years in various Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and served for 16 years as the coordinator of ministries at the congregation’s provincial residence. She worked for 16 years in the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware, in education ministry. In addition, she volunteered for one year at Holy Angels School in Newark and spent one year in local house ministry in Greenville.
For 19 years, Sister Nancy served as principal at Most Pure Heart of Mary School in Mobile, Alabama. She also taught for eight years at Our Lady of Peace School in North Augusta, South Carolina, in the Diocese of Charleston.
In 2015 she moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, Pennsylvania, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Feb. 14 at Assisi House with Burial at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Nancy is survived by her sister Agnes, her nieces and nephews, and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
