Obituary of Sr. Ann Stango, SC

Sister Ann Stango, 86, formerly Sister Helen Cordis, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died February 5, 2025 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung, New Jersey.

Sister Ann Stango was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, the daughter of Armand and Helen (O’Connor) Stango. She entered the Sisters of Charity on September 6, 1955 and was a member for 69 years.  

Sister graduated from the College (University) of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, New Jersey with a B.A. degree in Mathematics; from Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts with a M.A. degree in Mathematics; from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. with a M.A. degree in Theology; and from Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC with a D.Min. degree in Theology-Church and Society.

Sister Ann taught in New Jersey at Saint Margaret of Scotland School, Morristown and Saint John Cathedral High School, Paterson. She began her outreach ministry at Operation Extension in the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey and then as a member of the Parish Apostolic Team at Saint Vincent Martyr Parish, Madison, New Jersey. Sister Ann became a Teacher/Advisor at Catholic University of America, and Faculty Advisor and Spiritual Director at Theological College, both in Washington DC. Sister was Director of Ministry Programs, College (University) of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, New Jersey and then served in Leadership as the General Secretary for the Sisters of Charity, Convent Station, New Jersey. Sister Ann was an Assistant to the President at the Hospital of Saint Raphael, New Haven, Connecticut and Vice President-Mission at Saint Joseph University Medical Center, Paterson, New Jersey.  She was Director of Ministry Programs at Saint Anthony’s Hospital, Saint Petersburg, Florida and then went to Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Tampa, Florida as an Educational Specialist for Ministry, Spirituality and Ethics. 

Sister Ann also lived and worked in a low-income housing development during the late 1960’s in New Jersey. She was the first woman to serve on the formation staff for the seminary at Theological College of Catholic University, Washington, D.C. She received an Achievement Award for a Distinguished Alumnus from Catholic University. Sister has been described as a highly intelligent, competent and dedicated religious woman. Her family and friends were especially important to her and she enjoyed their visits.

She is predeceased by her parents, Armand and Helen (O’Connor) Stango. She is survived by the Sisters of Charity; her cousin Connie and husband Bernie Nolan and their children Kelley, Erin and Colleen, and cousin Dolores Carolan. Sister Ann is also survived by her longtime friends Hattie Alexander and Ruth Overholser. 

The wake for Sister Ann Stango will be held in Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, New Jersey on Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 9:30 AM-11:00AM. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM with burial in Holy Family Cemetery following the Mass. The Mass will be livestreamed. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of S. J. Priola Funeral Services, Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Sisters of Charity Development Fund, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, New Jersey, 07961-0476 would be appreciated.