Sister Angela Bisol, 94
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Sister Angela Bisol, 94, of the Venerini Sisters of Worcester died there on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009. Sister Angela taught in the former St. Anthony's Parish from the late 1950s to the early 1970s.
Born in Fitchburg, daughter of Giovanni and Angela Baggio Bisol, she entered the Congregation of the Religious Venerini Sisters at a young age and professed her religious vows in 1934. She earned degrees in education at Our Lady of the Elms College and French at Anna Maria College. Her graduate and postgraduate degrees in French and religious studies were earned at Assumption College.
Sister Angela began her education ministry in North Adams, Pittsfield and Schenectady, N.Y, teaching catechism and Italian classes as well as sodality work. With the establishment of Venerini Academy in Worcester in the 1940s, she taught languages in the junior and senior high schools as well as doing catechetical work at Mount Carmel Parish. Her proficiency in English, French and Italian was valued both in classroom teaching, as a tutor and as a translator. She also was principal for brief periods at Venerini Academy and in Gloversville, N.Y.
She later focused her talents on catechetical and parish work in North Adams and in Worcester, where she was a director and coordinator of religious education at Immaculate Conception and St. Joan of Arc parishes. Her involvement in the Ecumenical Institute at Assumption College both as a participant and as collaborator with Wayne Rollins made her a familiar figure for students of the institute.
Sister Angela's devotedness to the graduates of Venerini Academy High School led to the establishment of the Venerini Alumnae Association, which she founded and remained as moderator to her last days. She was a gifted and generous resource person to her fellow sisters, colleagues, former co-workers and students, teachers and catechists throughout the diocese and beyond.
She leaves two sisters, Theresa DiPasquale and Rose Bisol, both of Fitchburg, devoted nieces and nephews and her Venerini companions.
She was predeceased by her brothers Gaetano and Angelo Bisol and sisters Lucia, Sister Joanne, Sister Mary Louise and Clare.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Angela will be held at Mount Carmel Church in Worcester on Wednesday, Dec. 30, at 10:30 a.m., followed by burial in St. Bernard's Cemetery in Fitchburg.
The wake will be held Tuesday, Dec. 29, from 4 to 8 in the Fusaro Memorial Chapel at Venerini Academy, with a prayer service at 7. It was Sister Angela's request that donations be made to the Venerini Missionary Fund in lieu of flowers, continuing her own support and dedication to the missions.