Sister Serafina D’Alessio, MPF, 96, former history teacher at St. Joseph High School, Hammonton, died Aug.12 at St. Joseph Hall, Villa Walsh in Morristown.
Born and raised in Jersey City, Sister Serafina entered the Religious Teachers Filippini in 1932, received her habit in 1935, and made her religious profession in 1938.
She held a doctorate in history from Columbia University, and from 1951-54 she taught history at St. Joseph High School in Hammonton. She also taught at middle and high schools in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.
After retiring from full-time teaching, she tutored students at Villa Victoria Academy in Trenton until she became ill, and entered St. Joseph Hall Infirmary in 2005.
From 1964-69, and again from 1971-78, Sister Serafina worked for the Apostolic Delegation to the Vatican in Washington, D.C.
She was often called upon to give talks on behalf of the community for special occasions and asked to do translations from English to Italian, and Italian to English. She was willing to offer these services whenever approached, and lived a full life giving service and supporting the community’s mission, her community said in a statement.
Sister Serafina is the daughter of the late Guido D’Alessio and Eleonara (Marinaro) D’Alessio, both born in Italy and migrated to Jersey City. She was predeceased by two sisters, Yolanda Vitale and Sister Esther D’Alessio, MPF, and her brother Guido D’Alessio. She is survived by cousins and nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Donations in memory of Sister Serafina D’Alessio may be sent to St. Joseph Hall, c/o Sister Ascenza Tizzano, MPF, Provincial Superior, Villa Walsh, 455 Western Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960.
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