Sister Cecil Gabriel | Educator, 100

Sister Cecil Gabriel DePrisco, 100, an educator in Catholic schools for more than 60 years, died Monday, June 27, at Assisi House, the retirement residence for the Sisters of St. Francis in Aston.

Sister Cecil Gabriel grew up as Marie Rose DePrisco in South Philadelphia. She graduated from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School before joining the convent in 1929. She earned a bachelor's degree in education from Villanova University.

She taught in primary grades at St. Alphonsus School, and St. Benedict School in Philadelphia; Nativity School in Media; Resurrection School in Chester; St. Stanislaus School in Lansdale; and was principal of Immaculate Conception School in Marcus Hook and Our Lady of Consolation in Philadelphia. She also taught in Catholic elementary schools in Trenton, Allentown, and Bethlehem, Pa.

From 1971 to 1989, Sister Cecil Gabriel taught at St. Maria Goretti (now Neumann-Goretti) High Schoo and was audio-visual moderator.

She was then on the staff of St. Francis Convent in Philadelphia. In 2008, she moved to Assisi House and retired to a ministry of prayer.

Recently, Delaware County recognized Sister Cecil Gabriel for her "distinguished service and exemplary citizenship."

She is survived by nieces and a nephew.

A wake service followed by a viewing will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 1, at Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Rd., Aston, where a Funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Aston.

Donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Rd., Aston, Pa. 19014.