A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Assisi House Dec. 6 for Sister of St. Francis Elaine Spangler, formerly Sister Carlos Marie, who died Nov. 30. She was 90.
A professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 65 years, Sister Elaine was born in Harrisburg, Pa. She graduated from Dover Area High School, Dover, Pa. She was a member of Our Lady of Holy Souls Parish, Philadelphia, when she entered the congregation in 1957. She professed her first vows in 1959. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in nursing from the University of Delaware and ministered primarily in health care and parish ministry.
Sister Elaine ministered for 41 years in various hospitals, home health care and parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She also ministered in parishes and as a nurse for five years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and two years in the Diocese of Wilmington.
Sister Elaine served for 11 years in health care in the Diocese of Trenton, including as a nursing supervisor at St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, and St. Michael’s Children’s Home, Hopewell.
In her later years, Sister Elaine served as a receptionist, volunteered in Catholic social services and Delaware County parishes, and worked as a consultant to Philadelphia’s adult services program. For nine years, she served in the local house ministry at Our Lady of Angels Convent, Aston. In 2022, she moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.
Burial was in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston, Pa.
Sister Elaine is survived by her sister-in-law Rose Spanger, her nieces and nephews, and her Franciscan family.
Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Rd., Aston, PA 19014.