Sister Leslie Birks, former educator in Lincroft and Hamilton schools, dies at 83

September 11, 2024 at 6:56 p.m.


Funeral services will be held Sept. 16  in Assisi House, Aston, Pa., for Franciscan Sister Leslie Birks who died Sept. 10 at age 83.

The former Sister Mildred Mary had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 62 years. She was born in Trenton graduated from Cathedral High School. She entered the congregation in 1959 and professed her first vows in 1962. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in English Neumann University (then Our Lady of Angels College), Aston, and a master of arts in science education from West Chester University, West Chester, Pa.

Ministering primarily in elementary education and social services, Sister Leslie served for 21 years in the Diocese of Trenton where she taught at St. Leo the Great School, Lincroft, and Holy Angels School, St. Anthony Grade School and McCorristin Catholic High School, all in Hamilton. Additionally, she taught for five years in the Harrisburg diocese.

In the mid-1980s Sister Leslie switched focus to social work and served for five years in the Archdiocese of Boston and for 34 years, she  served those who are poor and homeless in Philadelphia. She moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement community, in 2024 where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

Sister Leslie’s funeral services will begin with a Christian Wake Service at 9:30 a.m., followed by viewing. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11. Internment of Ashes will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston.

Sister Leslie is survived by her brother, her cousins and her Franciscan family. Memorial donations can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Rd., Aston, Pa. 19014.




Related Stories

Funeral services will be held Sept. 16  in Assisi House, Aston, Pa., for Franciscan Sister Leslie Birks who died Sept. 10 at age 83.

The former Sister Mildred Mary had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 62 years. She was born in Trenton graduated from Cathedral High School. She entered the congregation in 1959 and professed her first vows in 1962. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in English Neumann University (then Our Lady of Angels College), Aston, and a master of arts in science education from West Chester University, West Chester, Pa.

Ministering primarily in elementary education and social services, Sister Leslie served for 21 years in the Diocese of Trenton where she taught at St. Leo the Great School, Lincroft, and Holy Angels School, St. Anthony Grade School and McCorristin Catholic High School, all in Hamilton. Additionally, she taught for five years in the Harrisburg diocese.

In the mid-1980s Sister Leslie switched focus to social work and served for five years in the Archdiocese of Boston and for 34 years, she  served those who are poor and homeless in Philadelphia. She moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement community, in 2024 where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

Sister Leslie’s funeral services will begin with a Christian Wake Service at 9:30 a.m., followed by viewing. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11. Internment of Ashes will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston.

Sister Leslie is survived by her brother, her cousins and her Franciscan family. Memorial donations can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Rd., Aston, Pa. 19014.



Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


In Local News as of Oct. 11, 2024
The following parishes, schools and organizations in the Diocese of Trenton have announced these upcoming events:

St. John Vianney girls soccer has returned to power in Shore Conference
With seven starters returning, Holmdel’s St. John Vianney High School girls soccer team has already ...

Evangelize with simplicity, prayer, dialogue, service, Pope tells Jesuits
Evangelization does not have to be complicated or "sophisticated," ...

Statistically speaking: How Pope's choices change College of Cardinals
Popes have made a habit of exceeding the statutory limit ...

Our Catholic witness to a world in need
Speaking to the immense congregation in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for the first statewide Mass for Life...


The Evangelist, 40 North Main Ave., Albany, NY, 12203-1422 | PHONE: 518-453-6688| FAX: 518-453-8448
© 2024 Trenton Monitor, All Rights Reserved.