Sister Rita Marie Donnelly
8/16/2015
Sister Rita Marie Donnelly, SFP, a Franciscan Sister of the Poor for more than 73 years, entered into eternal life on August 16, 2015, at Schervier Pavilion in Warwick, New York.
Born October 26, 1924 in Hoboken, New Jersey, to Mary and Michael Donnelly, Sister Rita Marie was graduated from Our Lady of Grace and Commercial High School in Hoboken and earned a B. S. in Business Administration from Caldwell College, New Jersey. Sister Rita Marie served in a variety of ministries: catechesis, religious formation, pastoral care, administrative assistance in the Provincial Office, and administration and general business. She volunteered in the parishes where she worshipped, in the choir at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Bayonne, New Jersey, and at Guardian Angel Church in Allendale, New Jersey.
Sister Rita Marie, who had an infectious laugh and was a natural leader, often spontaneously led songs as she waited with her peers at Mount Alverno Center for breakfast in the mornings. She was loved, appreciated, respected and admired by her Sisters, professional peers, and friends.
The Franciscan Sisters of the Poor would like to thank Drs. Taylor, Kazanhian, Fiore, and Lavotshkin, and the staffs of Schervier Pavilion, Mount Alverno Center, and St. Anthony Hospital for their care of Sister Rita Marie.
Sister Rita Marie is predeceased by her parents, her sister, Mary Orrick and her brother, Jack. She is survived by her sisters, Florence Lullio and Josephine Collins and her brother-in-law, Leo Collins and family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry, 135 Forester Ave., Warwick, NY 10990 or to the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Foundation, 708 third Avenue, Suite 1858, New York, NY 10017.
Visitation will be held at Mount Alverno Chapel, 20 Grand Street, Warwick NY on Thursday, August 20th, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 3:00 pm. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ on Friday, August 21st.
Calendar of Care
At the time of funeral service we commemorate and reflect on the life
of Sister Rita Marie Donnelly. In the days, weeks and months ahead it will be a
comfort to family of Sister Rita Marie Donnelly to continue to remember a life well lived.
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