Brother Elias Edelen, OH
Funeral Mass was held Feb. 7 at St. John of God Retirement and Care Center in Los Angeles for Hospitaller Order of St. John of God Brother Elias Edelen, who died Jan. 30.
Born in Baltimore, Brother Edelen joined the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1945 soon after graduating from Mount St. Joseph's High School. Following two years of active duty, he enrolled in Loyola College in Baltimore where he graduated with a BS in biology.
Recalled to the Naval Reserve during the Korean War, he was wounded in action in North Korea in 1950. After returning home, he continued his education and completed a B.S. degree in pharmacy. In 1960, he entered the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God and a few years later received a Master's degree in hospital administration.
Locally, Brother Edelen served as an administrator at St. John of God Hospital, St. Mary Desert Valley Hospital and (from 1971-74) St. Joseph's in Ojai. Following many years as a hospital administrator, he was assigned to serve at the Vatican Pharmacy where the Brothers of St. John of God serve the pope and the citizens of Vatican City.
After retirement, he lived as a resident of St. John of God Retirement and Care Center, where, according to fellow community members, "he found an opportunity to spread his cheer."
Sr. Celestine Mary O'Brien, SNJM
Funeral Mass was held Jan. 20 in Los Gatos for Holy Names of Jesus and Mary Sister Celestine Mary O'Brien, 82, who died Jan. 12 after a lengthy illness.
A Los Angeles native, Sister O'Brien ministered as a teacher and educational administrator in elementary schools in California. Locally, she served as principal of St. Anne School in Santa Monica from 1962-65. According to her community members, Sister O'Brien was a superb teacher with a strong sense of justice who believed in speaking for those who did not have a voice.
Burial took place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Memorial donations may be made to the Ministry Fund, Sisters of the Holy Names, P.O. Box 907, Los Gatos, CA 95031.
Sr. Margaret Frances Thrift, CSJ
Funeral Mass was held Feb. 24 at Carondelet Center in Los Angeles for St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Margaret Frances Thrift, 92, who died Feb. 18.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Sister Thrift earned a B.A. from Mount St. Mary's College and ministered as an elementary teacher for 26 years in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tucson and Phoenix.
After retiring from the classroom, she devoted herself to volunteer work tutoring young children, bringing daily communion to the elderly and helping out in the Carondelet Center finance department. |