Sister Elisa Tanaka, a Sister of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 63 years, died at the age of 83 on August 27, 2025, at our Recanto Paz e Bem residence in Brazil. The youngest of six children in a Japanese-Brazilian family in São Paulo, Sister Elisa entered the Congregation as a postulant in February 1962 and professed her perpetual vows on January 26, 1969.
In 1972, she completed the Teacher Training course for Primary Education – Magisterium and dedicated her ministry almost exclusively to academic work at our Pius XII, São Miguel Arcanjo and Nossa Senhora do Carmo schools. Sister Elisa truly loved her work in education and is remembered as a great educator and literacy teacher. In addition to education, Sister worked with catechesis, including serving as a counselor of Religious Education. She also served as an assistant director and served in Parish ministry, especially catechesis. In 1984, She was missioned to São Miguel dos Campos, AL, where she served in parish ministry.
In 2016, Sister Elisa was transferred to Recanto Paz e Bem, in order to take care of her fragile health, yet she still assisted with some internal work in the community when able. She also lovingly cared for the neighborhood birds.
Our Community gives thanks to our Provident God for Sister Elisa’s life, her peaceful spirit, and her unique way of manifesting the light and love of Christ. We offer our continuing prayers that she will rest in the peace and love of God in her eternal home.
Sister M. Edward Urban, a Sister of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 72 years, died at age 91 on July 7, 2024. She was born in Lithuania in 1932 to her mother Anne and her American-born father, Anthony. At seven years old, her family moved to the United States, settling in Cleveland, OH. Sister Edward was taught by our Sisters at St. George school and graduated from Notre Dame Academy Entering our congregation in February 1952, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education at Duquesne University. Sister’s initial assignment was as an elementary school teacher in Grand Rapids, MI, followed by schools in Elizabeth, NJ, New Kensington, PA, and Bethel Park, PA. In 1963, Sister Edward was missioned to Brazil where she served for 47 years in education, parish and pastoral ministry, which included serving as principal at our Pius XII School’s Escolinho (little school.) Blessed with a clear and beautiful singing voice, Sister Edward often served as a cantor at parish liturgies. She returned to Pittsburgh in 2010 and assisted in the Congregation’s archives, volunteered at the Franciscan Child Day Care Center, and assisted with administrative projects for more than a decade. Faithfully embracing the challenges of age and declining health, Sister Edward never stopped singing and continued to minister through prayer and her Franciscan presence.
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Sister Edward Wake Reflection
Sister M. Sylvia Krafton, a Sister of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 85 years, died at the age of 101 on January 29, 2023. A native of Lawrence, MA, Sister Sylvia attended St.Francis Academy and entered the congregation in 1938. Her mother, a lay Franciscan, was especially influential in her decision to pursue a religious vocation. For 36 years, Sister Sylvia taught children in elementary schools in Amsterdam, NY, Elizabeth, NJ, Kenosha, WI, Mt.Vernon, IL, as well as Pittsburgh, Esplen, and DuBois, PA. She also served as director of the after-school R-T-R (Reading-Thinking-Reading) Program at the motherhouse in Pittsburgh. Sister and her staff taught reading skills to eager learners and achieved outstanding results. Sister Sylvia earned both her B.A. and her M.Ed. at Duquesne University.
Read Sister Sylvia’s Wake Reflection
Family and friends will be received at John Slater Funeral Home, 4201 Brownsville Rd, Pittsburgh PA 15227 on Friday, February 3, 2023 from 9-11 a.m.; prayer service at 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11:30 a.m., Our Lady of Hope Parish, St. Germaine Church, 7003 Baptist Rd. BethelPark, PA 15102.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God, 5802 Curry Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, or by CLICKING HERE
