Formerly Sister Rose David
Sister Phyllis Ann DiRenzo succumbed to the ravages of Covid 19. Sister died in Camilla Hall on January 21, 2021 in the 51st year of her religious life. Sister died peacefully with our nursing staff at her bedside.
Sister was born on April 27, 1950 in Philadelphia. In earlier days, Sister’s parents John and Sadie (Milione) DiRenzo lived in Our Lady of the Rosary Parish where Phyllis attended elementary school; following grade school, she attended and graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School in 1968. When Phyllis entered the community on September 8, 1969, she was a member of Saint Anselm Parish. Phyllis received her habit and her religious name Sister Rose David on June 27, 1970. Sister Rose David pronounced her First Vows on June 28, 1972.
Beginning in the fall of 1972 and concluding in June 1991, Sister taught children in grades 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 in many different places. Sister taught in Incarnation School in Trenton; St. Dominic in Philadelphia; St. Augustine in Bridgeport; St. Michael in Annandale Virginia; St. Monica, St. Francis Xavier, St. Cyril, St. Martin of Tours, and St. Joachim in and around the Philadelphia area.
In the fall of 1991, Sister Phyllis began a ministry that complemented teaching; Sister began serving as a pastoral minister in a number of areas. Sister spread the good news at St. Jerome in Tamaqua; St. Martin of Tours in Philadelphia; St. Margaret in Reading; Nazareth Hospital. Sister was a Chaplain at Fox Chase Cancer Center and Vitas/Nazareth-Frankford in Philadelphia and a member of the Pastoral Team at our own Camilla Hall. In 2007, Sister Phyllis was the Hospice Chaplain at Life Choice Hospice Care through August 2010.
In April 2015, Sister Phyllis went into Camilla Hall to be of general assistance; we are sure that her pastoral gifts were graciously shared. While in Camilla Hall, Sister suffered many physical setbacks, which diminished her ability to serve as she would desire. In conjunction with all that Sister suffered, she ultimately succumbed to the ravages of Covid 19. May she rest in peace, knowing finally and fully the presence of God.
Sister Phyllis’s parents predecease her. Sister is survived by her sister Rosanna Kash (Joseph) and her brothers John, Dominic (Deborah) and David DiRenzo and her loving nieces, nephews, grandniece, grandnephews and her Congregation of IHM Sisters.
The Visitation and Funeral Mass for Sister Phyllis was private. During this time of the Covid pandemic, only a limited number of family members were able to attend. Rev. Msgr. Thomas Mullen celebrated Sister’s Funeral Liturgy on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 10:30 am. For the benefit of those unable to attend, this Liturgy was live streamed.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355