Obituary: Sister Josita Karnish (Kachniarz)

Sister Josita Karnish (Kachniarz), 87, of the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, died of natural causes on Sunday morning, May 12, 2024, at St. Joseph Villa, Reading, PA, where she had resided since 2017.

Early Life

Born in Lansford, PA, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Valerie/Valeria (Mikulsky) Karnish (Kachniarz).

Religious Life

Sister Josita entered the Bernardine Sisters on August 11, 1953, and was in the 71st year of her religious life. She earned a BS in Education from Villanova University and an MA in Education from Central Michigan University. She served her ministry in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. as an elementary teacher, in parish ministry, as a superior, and in elder care.

Family

Sister is survived by her sisters: Rose Ann Orach and Elizabeth Ann (“Betty Ann”) Coll, both of Lansford, PA and her brother, John Karnish of Lehighton, PA.

Viewing and Mass

Viewing on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at St Joseph Villa, Reading, PA. Mass on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Villa Chapel, Reading, PA followed by burial in the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters’ Cemetery, Mount Alvernia, Reading, PA.

Funeral Home

The Kopicki-Bradley Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Reading, PA is in charge of arrangements.

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