Sister Carmela Correia, OSF, died June 17, 2017, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany. She was 98.

The former Philomena Elizabeth Correia was born July 17, 1918, in Taunton, Mass., to Joseph and Rose (Moniz) Correia. Before becoming a Franciscan Sister, she worked briefly as a nursery school teacher, kindergarten teacher and governess.

She joined the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in 1948, and professed final vows in 1955. Sister Carmela attended St. Elizabeth Teachers' College, now St. Bonaventure University, and received a bachelor's degree in education in 1966.

Sister Carmela taught at congregational schools in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Since she was born visually impaired, she served and assisted with the education of students who read Braille. In 1997, she retired to St. Raphael Convent in West Medford, Mass., and in 2008, she returned to Allegany to live at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse until her death.

She is survived by two sisters, Beatrice Viera and Anne Motta, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was held in the chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, followed by burial in St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Allegany.