Sister Poverello Wells, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, N.Y., for 59 years who served at St. Gregory Parish in Magnolia and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, died Feb. 8 at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany. She was 85.
Sister Poverello was born Dorothy Ann Wells in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Sept. 28, 1925. She was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on Aug. 15, 1952, and professed her final religious vows on Aug. 16, 1959.
Her chosen ministry was primarily in health care. She ministered in several hospitals of the congregation in New Jersey, New York and Florida. That work included 23 years at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, 1953-68, 1979-80, and 1983-89. She held several positions at Our Lady of Lourdes, including payroll clerk, patient relations coordinator and local minister.
She served a term as general treasurer of the congregation from 1971-77. She most recently served in numerous positions at St. Gregory Parish in Magnolia until she joined the motherhouse community in 2000.
At the motherhouse, she provided service in the treasurer’s office, served on the board of Canticle Farm and Genesis House and was an early member of the Health Care Access Coalition of Olean, N.Y.
She attended grade school at Webb Township in Old Forge, N.Y., Holy Family in New Rochelle, N.Y., Shenandoah Junior High in Miami, Fla., and Miami Beach High School in Florida. She pursued undergraduate studies at Florida State College for Women in Tallahassee, Villanova University in Pennsylvania and St. Bonaventure University in Allegany. She received a certificate of management from Rutgers University in 1966.
Sister Poverello is predeceased by her parents, Harold and Viola Fullum Wells, a brother, Jack, and a sister, Mary Pat. She is survived by a brother, Robert, and several nieces and nephews.
A wake service took place Feb. 10 in the chapel at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 11 in the chapel. Burial followed in St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Allegany.
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