
Sister Ursula Trela, 88, Little Servant Sister of the Immaculate Conception, and educator and administrator in the Diocese of Camden, died March 3 anointed with the Rites of the Church in the community at Saint Joseph Senior Home in Woodbridge. She was in her 70th year of religious life.
Born in Poland, Sister Ursula entered the congregation in 1954, and after formation, she worked with preschool and children with special needs. She also served as a catechist and bookkeeper.
In 1972, she made her way to the United States, learning the English language, graduating with a degree in elementary education, and qualifying in nursing home administration and preschool education.
In the Diocese of Camden, she served as a kindergarten teacher at Saint Matthew School, National Park (1974-1980), and worked in administration at Saint Mary’s Nursing Home, Cherry Hill (1982-86). Outside the Diocese, she served as a kindergarten teacher at Saint Peter and Paul Parish in Three Rivers, Mass., (1986-1990).
She also helped establish the congregation’s Saint Joseph Senior Residence (now Assisted Living) and Saint Joseph Nursing Home, Woodbridge, and served in administration there (1981-82 and 1990-2014).
“A cheerful religious, her community cherishes the memory of Sister Ursula as a most prayerful, dedicated religious with great love of God, her community and family, the children and the elderly,” her community said in announcing her passing.
A viewing will be held from 9-11 a.m. March 7 at the Chapel of Saint Joseph Assisted Living, Saint Joseph Senior Home, Woodbridge, followed by a Mass of Christian burial. Interment will follow at Saint Joseph Cemetery, Chews Landing.
Contributions in Sister Ursula’s memory may be made to the Little Servant Sisters, Provincialate, 1000 Cropwell Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003.











