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

Friends will be received at John Slater Funeral Home, 4201 Brownsville Rd, Pittsburgh PA 15227 on Tuesday, July 9 from 3-5 p.m.; prayer service at 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial is Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Our Lady of Hope Parish, St. Germaine Church, 7003 Baptist Rd. Bethel Park, 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

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