Remembering the recently deceased in the Archdiocese of Seattle.


Sister Carmel Mahoney, OSF

ASTON, Pa. – Franciscan Sister Carmel Mahoney, who ministered for 17 years in the Archdiocese of Seattle, died June 14, 2024 at Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence. She was 93.

She was born Julia Sheila Mahoney on Sept. 16, 1930, in County Cork, Ireland. She entered the congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in 1949 and professed her first vows in 1952. She earned a BA in social science from Marylhurst College in Oregon and ministered primarily in elementary education and social services.

In the Archdiocese of Seattle, Sister Carmel served at St. Ann Convent in Tacoma and at St. Francis House in Puyallup. In 2004, she moved back to St. Ann Convent, where she served in prayer and hospitality. In 2017, she moved east to Assisi House, where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry until her death.

She also served three years at St. Joseph School in Spokane and seven years at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Portland, first as a student and later as a volunteer.

Sister Carmel also served for 15 years in the Diocese of San Diego, where she ministered at two schools and a mission. She served for 12 years in the Diocese of San Bernardino, where she taught at three schools. Other ministries included one year teaching in Riverton, Wyoming, and two years at a school in Wilmington, Delaware.

Sister Carmel is remembered for living her Franciscan faith and charism through her actions and being a model of prayer and loving service. She had a good sense of humor and enjoyed laughing with her friends, reading and keeping updated on national and local current affairs. 

Sister Carmel is survived by her sisters, Margaret Paulson and Maureen Webster, her nieces and nephews and her Franciscan family.

A Christian wake service and a Mass of Christian burial were held June 18. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. A recording of her services can be viewed here.

Donations in Sister Carmel’s name may be made to: Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.

For Sister Carmel’s full obituary, click here.

As a free service to the Catholic community, Northwest Catholic posts online the obituaries of Catholics whose funerals are held in parishes in the Archdiocese of Seattle or at Catholic cemeteries in the archdiocese. Submit an obituary here.