Sister Judith Mary Stecklair, formerly known as Florence L. Stecklair, died in Camilla Hall on March 15, 2023.
Florence was born on February 28, 1934. Her parents, Francis and Josephine (Kelly) Stecklair, raised their family of six children in Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Philadelphia.
Florence attended Most Blessed Sacrament Elementary School (1939-1947) and West Catholic Girls’ High (1947-1951). Later, while in community, Sister earned her degree in Elementary Education at Immaculata College and an M.A. degree in Religious Studies from St. Charles Seminary.
Florence entered our Congregation on September 8, 1951; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Judith Mary, on March 10, 1952; before she pronounced her First Vows on March 11, 1954, her older Sister Dorothy entered the Congregation as a Postulant on September 8, 1953.
Shortly after Sister pronounced her First Vows, Sister’s journey of service and love of teaching began. Throughout Sister’s tenure, she taught children at St. Anastasia, Newtown Square; Sacred Heart, Manoa; Sacred Heart, Lancaster; St. Cyril, East Lansdowne; St. Peter, Reading; Good Shepherd, Camp Hill; St. Margaret, Reading; and Immaculate Heart in Girardville. In Philadelphia, Sister served in several parish schools: Good Shepherd; St. Gabriel; West Catholic; Holy Innocents; Annunciation; and St. Thomas Aquinas.
Sister Judith Mary influenced children, families, and parishioners throughout her service of teaching from March 1954 through June 1992. Sister was an excellent teacher and a beautiful IHM Sister.
Sister Judith graciously rendered dedicated service as a Receptionist, a Driver, and overall General Assistant at our Motherhouse, Villa Maria House of Studies from August 1992 through March 2013.
In March 2013, Sister Judith Mary joined the Apostolate of Prayer Community in Camilla Hall. Sister was a woman of prayer and she assisted joyfully in Camilla in whatever way her health permitted until her death on March 15, 2023. God, grant her eternal peace.
In addition to her IHM Community, Sister Judith is survived by her beloved IHM Sister, Sister Roseanne Marie Stecklair, her brother Francis J. Stecklair and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews and her Local Community at Camilla Hall. Sister’s parents Frank G. Stecklair and Josephine V. Stecklair (Kelly), her sisters Mary Stecklair, Anne T. Cocola (Dominick), Rose M. Winner (Jack) and her sister-in-law Helen predecease Sister Judith.
Reverend Michael Callaghan, C.M. celebrated Sister Judith Mary’s Funeral Mass on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355