Sr. Joanna Burkhart, S.F.P.

BURKHART, Sr. Joanna, S.F.P., 88 years of age and a Franciscan Sister of the Poor for 65 years devoted her life to caring for the sick and needy in various ministries. She served in the Social Service Centers of St. John’s, Cincinnati, OH, St. Michael’s in Steubenville, OH and St. Raphael’s in Hamilton, OH. From 1951 to 1960 Sister was assigned to dietary duties in Covington, KY, Kansas City, KS and Cincinnati, OH before going to Frascati, Rome, IT from 1960 to 1968. She was delighted to invite American guests to the Thanksgiving dinner she prepared each year with such care for tradition. For three years she taught at St. Henry Catechetical Center in St. Henry, OH. Sister was a certified Catholic chaplain by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains since 1975 and served as chaplain counselor in Pastoral services from 1973 to 2000 at Providence Hospital, Cincinnati, OH and Franciscan Hospital Western Hills, Cincinnati, OH. It gave her much joy to visit, pray with and support the patients and their families during the time of illness and death. Sister has two living siblings, Stella and Paul Crum, Woodsfield, OH and Cyril and Rosemary Burkhart, Lewisville, OH and four siblings who preceded her in death – Leander, Herman, Lucian and Constantine (Connie) Burkhart. She has many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, many friends and the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor who will miss her warm-hearted, compassionate care, concern determined spirit, charming smile and infectious laugh. Sister Joanna responded to God’s call to eternal life on Friday, October 30, 2009. Visitation will be held at St. Clare Convent Chapel, 60 Compton Road on Monday, November 2 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. with Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, November 3 at 12:00 noon. She will be laid to rest in the convent cemetery.