Sister Carol Ann ZurloASTON, Pa. — Sister Carol Ann Zurlo, OSF (formerly Sister Emma Francis) died on April 25, 2015 at Assisi House in Aston, Pa. She was 78. The professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia had formerly served at Good Shepherd Home Health Agency in Hayesville.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, Aston, PA, 19014. Burial will be at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston.
She was born in Trenton, N.J., and graduated from Upper Freehold Township High School. Prior to her entrance into the Sisters of St. Francis in 1959, she studied nursing and became a registered nurse at St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Trenton. She had been a professed member with the Sisters of St. Francis for 54 years, making her first vows in 1961. Her cousin, Sister Patricia Millen, is also a member of the congregation.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Neumann University in Aston, Pa., and a Master of Science in nursing from the Catholic University of America. She also later became a pediatric nurse practitioner and ministered in healthcare in various capacities, including six years at at Good Shepherd Home Health Agency in Hayesville.
She ministered in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for 22 years. She worked at St. Agnes Medical Center and later served as director of St. Mary's Children's Health Center in Langhorne. In 2008 she moved to Assisi House in Aston where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
Sister Carol Ann's 21 years in the Diocese of Trenton included working at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, ministering at Morris Hall in Lawrenceville, and serving as school nurse at All Saints School in Burlington. She also served on the provincial council for the former St. Anthony Province which was based in Trenton.
Sister Carol Ann also ministered at St. Joseph Hospital in Lancaster, Pa., for six years. Her final ministry prior to her retirement and moving into prayer ministry was to serve as administrator of St. Francis Convent in Ringwood, N.J.
In addition to Sister Patricia Millen, Sister Carol Ann is survived by her sister, Precious Groom; two brothers, John and Don Zurlo; nephews; and by her Franciscan family.
Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.