Sister Mary Evangelista, RSM, (the former Jane A. Strohmier) a member of the Sisters of Mercy, died on Oct. 24, 2026, at the Sisters Residence in Dallas, PA.
Sister Evangelista was born Sept. 4, 1927, in Youngstown, OH, the daughter of the late Walter and Rose (McConnell) Strohmier. She graduated from Cresson High School and received degrees from Misericordia University, Dallas, PA, and Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA.
Sister Evangelista entered the Sisters of Mercy in Dallas, PA on Sept. 8, 1948, and professed her vows on March 12, 1951.
She served as a teacher and principal in the Altoona-Johnstown and Pittsburgh dioceses for 29 years. She taught elementary and high school education. Following her teaching years, she entered the religious education ministry. She assisted in the combining efforts of the five parishes in Windber into one release time religious education program. In 1980, the pastors of the five parishes in Windber met with the Windber Public School officials and the release time religious education program came into existence. Sister Evangelista was named director of the program and served in that position for 24 years. After leaving the religious education program in Windber, she continued to serve as a volunteer religious educator teacher at Holy Name Parish, Ebensburg, PA.
In 1992, Sister Evangelista received the Prince Gallitzin Cross Award in recognition of her service. The award booklet noted that her service to the church through teaching and works of mercy mirror the Gospel values exemplified in the life of Prince Father Gallitzin.
In all her years of ministering to God’s people, Sr. Evangelista, was known as highly professional and deeply compassionate. She responded with a generous heart to those in need. Sr. Evangelista never “retired”; she brought her wisdom and spirituality to the people with whom she lived at Greystone Court, Ebensburg, PA. She loved the people, and she was loved in return.
After her years of ministry in the Altoona-Johnstown area, Sr. Evangelista moved to the Sisters Residence in Dallas, PA, on April 30, 2024, to continue her services through the ministry of prayer and share life with her dear Sisters in Mercy.
Sr. Evangelista is survived by her sister, Gerry Driskel, Chest Springs, and by many nieces and nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Walter; her brothers, Robert and Joseph; her sisters, Marie Little and Lucille Ivory; her brothers-in-laws, Paul Little, Roy Ivory, and Francis Driskel; and sister-in-law, Ellen.
The Sisters of Mercy and family want to thank the exceptional staff in every area of the Sisters Residence, who generously cared for Sr. Evangelista, and the Hospice of the Sacred Heart staff for making her journey Home as comfortable as possible. Without these wonderful people such peaceful passings would not be possible.
The celebration of Sr. Evangelista’s life will begin on Thursday, Oct. 29, with visitation from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Mercy Center, Dallas, PA. Followed with the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. On Friday, Oct. 30, visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a memorial Mass at 11 a.m. at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Loretto, PA, by the Very Rev. John D. Byrnes. Burial will be immediately after the memorial Mass at the Sisters of Mercy Cemetery on the campus of Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, PA. Memorial contributions, in honor of Sr. Evangelista Strohmier, can be made to the Sisters of Mercy, P.O. Box 370, Dallas, PA, 18612,, or to St. Monica Catholic Church, P.O. Box 231, Chest Springs, PA, 16624.