Sister Regina Fidelis Colavechio, IHM died on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 in Camilla Hall. Sister was in the 68th year of her religious life.
Anna E. Colavechio was born on February 22, 1936. Her parents, Archibald and Catherine (McCrossen) Colavechio raised their family of five children in St. Gabriel Parish in Philadelphia. Anna attended St. Gabriel Elementary School (1941-1949) and West Catholic High School for Girls (1949-1953). Later, while in the Community, Sister earned her degree from Immaculata College.
Anna entered the Community on September 8, 1954. She received her habit and her religious name, Sister Regina Fidelis, on March 8, 1955. Sister pronounced First Vows on March 10, 1957.
Sister Regina’s teaching ministry spanned from March 1957 through the school year ending 1991, with a brief hiatus (1987-88) when Sister offered a year of service at our Infirmary in Camilla Hall. Sister touched hundreds and hundreds of lives in many classrooms, many schools. Sister served in Assumption Atco, NJ, SS. Simon & Jude Bethlehem, St. Rose of Lima Philadelphia, St. Matthew Philadelphia, St. Joseph Reading, SS. Philip & James Exton, Transfiguration Philadelphia, Good Shepherd Philadelphia, Our Lady of Fatima Secane, Sacred Heart Lancaster, St. Francis Xavier Philadelphia, Holy Family Philadelphia, St. Monica Philadelphia. During the course of Sister’s teaching tenure, she taught children in grades 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8. In her earlier days, Sister taught Music as well. Sister Regina was an excellent teacher and a beautiful IHM Sister.
Sister ministered in various school-related capacities from the fall of 1991 through 1999. Sister served as an assistant in Gesu School in Philadelphia; in 1993, Sister offered general assistance at Our Lady of the Valley School in Lansford. From 1994 through the 1997 school year, Sister assisted in the Discipline Office at St. Maria Goretti High School. In 1997, Sister rendered general office assistance at St. Joachim in Philadelphia.
In August 1999, Sister Regina Fidelis gathered all of her gifts of joyful, loving service and offered all to assist our Sisters in Camilla Hall. Sister served as a faithful staff member until her death. May she rest in peace.
In addition to her IHM Community, Sister Regina is survived by her nieces, Kathleen, Patricia, and Anna along with many cousins. Sister Regina is predeceased by her parents Archibald and Catherine (McCrosson) Colavechio, her brothers Rev. Xavier Colavechio, O.Praem, Rev. Francis Colavechio, Thomas Colavechio, and her sister, Sister Therese Maureen Colavechio, IHM.
Reverend Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem celebrated Sister’s Funeral Mass on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Michael Callaghan, CM concelebrated with Father McLaughlin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355