READING, Pa. – Sister Joanne Frances Hayes, 65, a Wilmington native who was a member of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Third Order Regular of St. Francis, died Jan. 4 at St. Joseph Villa, where she had lived since 2010.
The daughter of the late John and Martha Hayes, she entered the Bernardines in 1966. An educator, she served in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico. She also worked in retreat house ministry, food service and local ministry.
She was baptized at St. Patrick Church, Wilmington, and graduated from St. Hedwig High School. According to her religious order, she was a member of St. Mary Magdalen Parish when she entered the congregation.
Sister Joanne is survived by her brothers, John and Michael, both of Wilmington.
A Mass of Christian Burial is being celebrated Jan. 9 at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Mount Alvernia, Reading. Burial will be in the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters’ cemetery, Mount Alvernia.
