Deacon Joe Orth, former head of deacons, dies
Funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 1 at St. Euphrasia Church, Granada Hills, for Deacon Joseph John Orth, former director of Deacons for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, who died July 27 after a long illness. He was 79.

Deacon Orth served in the U.S. Army and attended the University of Dayton and USC. A parishioner at St. Euphrasia since its founding in 1963 and an engineering supervisor in professional life, Orth was one of 30 men ordained to the permanent deaconate by Cardinal Timothy Manning on May 19, 1979.

Besides his service at St. Euphrasia, he served from July 1994 to January 2001 as director of Deacons, and he and his wife Kathleen were active in ministering to youth at Juvenile Hall in Sylmar.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children and a number of grandchildren. A Vigil Service was celebrated July 31 at St. Euphrasia. Burial was at San Fernando Mission Cemetery.

Fr. John G. Parish
Funeral Mass was held July 27 at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Wake Forest, North Carolina, for Father John Gerald Parish, who died in his sleep July 22.

Ordained for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1984, he served as an associate pastor at St. Rose of Lima Church in Simi Valley before leaving the archdiocese in 1988. He was incardinated to the Diocese of Raleigh, N.C., in 1996 and was pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church at the time of his death.

He was the son of Deacon Harold Parish, of Mary Star of the Sea Church, Oxnard. Condolences may be mailed to Deacon Parish, 3504 Ketch Ave., Oxnard, CA 93035. A memorial Mass in Los Angeles is being planned for a later date.

Sr. Elizabeth Cronin, DMJ
Funeral Mass was held July 27 at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Paramount, for Daughters of Mary and Joseph Sister Elizabeth Cronin (Sister Finbar Marie), who died July 18 in Long Beach.

The eldest of seven children born to Daniel and Bridget Cronin in Watergrasshill, County Cork, Ireland, she was "a truly dedicated person," according to her religious community members. Locally, she ministered "tirelessly" to parishioners at Our Lady of the Rosary, Paramount, and St. Margaret Mary, Lomita.

Surviving siblings include Donal, Peggy and Michael, and 16 nieces and nephews. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City. Memorials may be made to the Daughters of Mary and Joseph Retirement Fund at 5300 Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.