Maryknoll, NY: Sister Sophia Aihara, M.M. died on August 3rd, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 97 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 69 years.

On November 14^th, 1925, Sister Sophia Setsuko Aihara was born in Uchida, Ashiya, Hyogo-ken, Japan to Suzuko (Kitagawa) and Masao Aihara.  She had four brothers, who have all predeceased her.  Her nephew Masakazu Aihara and his family in Kobe, Japan survive her.

From 1938-1943, Sophia attended Sacred Heart Girls High School (Seishin Joshigakuin) in Obayashi, Japan.   She then attended Kobe University for two years and transferred to Doshisha University in Kyoto where she received her B.A.  Following her studies, she taught at Sacred Heart Girl High School for several years before entering Maryknoll. Sophia entered the Maryknoll Sisters in Maryknoll, NY on August 28th, 1954 from her home parish of Kyoto, Saiin.  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on March 7th, 1957 in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on March 7th, 1963 in Japan.

In 1957, Sister Sophia received her first mission assignment to Japan.  She assisted in the vestment-making project at Matsugasaki in Kyoto.  She then moved to Saiin Parish doing pastoral work from 1959-1961. Later, she continued her pastoral ministry in the Ise Parish in Mie Prefecture. From 1964-1969, Sister Sophia taught English, Math and Religion at the Maryknoll Girls’ School in Yokkaichi City.

For one year, 1968-1969, she came back to the United States to study at Fordham University. In 1969, she returned to Japan to continue her studies at Sacred Heart University in Tokyo where she received her M.A. in English Literature in 1971.  After her studies, Sister Sophia taught English and English Literature at Sacred Heart University Junior College in Tokyo until 1987.  She then moved to Kichijoji doing a variety of ministries including: working for Encyclopedia Britannica doing translation and editing of articles on religion and related topics; bible study classes as well as other classes with women’s groups at Kichijoji Parish; assisting AA groups and helping a group of volunteer women prepare materials for the blind.

In 2015, Sister Sophia returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to retire. She remained at the Center until her death.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Sophia on August 30^th at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 31^st at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Mary Louise Higa died on Monday, July 24^th, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 96 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 72 years.

On April 24^th, 1927, Sister Mary Louise Hideko Higa was born in Kaupakalua, Maui, HI to Kame (Miyashiro) and Ushi Higa.   She had two brothers and seven sisters; she is survived by her sisters Mrs. Theodora Nakagawa and Mrs. Mildred Ige as well as her many nieces and nephews.

From 1941-1945, Mary Louise attended Maui High School in Kahului, HI.   She then attended St. Francis Hospital School in Honolulu, HI where she graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1949.  Mary Louise entered the Maryknoll Sisters on February 1st, 1951 from St. Stephen’s parish in Honolulu, HI.  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on September 8th, 1953 in Valley Park, MO and her Final Vows on September 8th, 1959 in Kandy, Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka).

In 1953, Sister Mary Louise received her first mission assignment to work in the infirmary department at the Maryknoll Sisters Motherhouse in Maryknoll, NY.  In 1955, she was assigned to Kandy, Ceylon where she worked as Nursing Supervisor in a government hospital and helped open a maternity nursing home until 1962 when foreigners were expelled from the country.  She then earned her certificate in Midwifery from Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Ireland in 1962.  In 1963, she was assigned to Hong Kong, China to work at Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital as Program Supervisor and team member of Maryknoll Hospital Home Care Service and Community Nursing Service in Hong Kong.

Sister Mary Louise attended Chaminade College of Honolulu where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies in 1977. She then transferred to the Central Pacific Region in 1978, assigned to Honolulu, HI.  There, she worked in the Pastoral Ministry Department from 1978-1998 and functioned as the Regional Bookkeeper. In 1988 she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY for Congregational Services where she worked in the Archives Department until 1991.  She returned to Honolulu, HI in 1991 to do prison ministry and work at Hawaii Interfaith Ministry in Clinical Pastoral Education with a family service agency in Waihiawa, HI. There, she was involved in various ministries including: working with Life Foundation; providing service to people living with HIV & AIDS; bible study at a women’s correctional facility; faith community at Waihiawa; sorting materials for Central Pacific Region Archives and as Assistant Infirmarian.

In 2006, Sister Mary Louise semi-retired to Monrovia, CA.  There she did volunteer work such as driving Sisters to their medical appointments, phone duty, housekeeping and hospitality work.

Sister Mary Louise returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY in 2015, to fully retire. She remained there until her death on July 24th, 2023.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Mary Louise on August 17th, 2023 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 18th, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister M. Ann Teresa Kamachi, M.M. died on Monday, July 24^th, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 101 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 79 years.

On October 4^th, 1921, Sister Ann Teresa was born as “Teresa Hasuko Kamachi” in Shelton, WA to Mitsuye (Nakamuri) and Kinji Kamachi.   She had six brothers and two sisters; one brother, nieces and nephews survive her.

Teresa attended Olympia High School in Olympia, WA from 1935-1939. At the outbreak of World War II, 112,000 West Coast American citizens of Japanese ancestry were moved into internment camps. Teresa and her family were assigned to Manzanar Internment Camp in California.

Sister Ann Teresa entered the Maryknoll Sisters in Maryknoll, NY on September 7th, 1943 from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Los Angeles, CA.  She attended the Maryknoll Teachers College in 1945. On March 7^th, 1946 she pronounced her First Profession of Vows in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on March 7^th, 1949 in Seattle, WA.  In 1950, she received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing from Seattle University in Seattle, WA.

Later in 1950, she received her first mission assignment as a nurse at the Maryknoll Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Monrovia, CA.  From 1956-1965, she moved to Kansas City, MO where she served as Clinical Instructor and Nurse Supervisor at Queen of the World Hospital (the first fully racially integrated hospital in the country started by the Maryknoll Sisters).  Sister Ann Teresa moved back to Monrovia, CA in 1965 to once again serve as a nurse before returning to Maryknoll, NY in 1968 to work at Bethany, a nursing and rehabilitation care facility for the Maryknoll Sisters.   In 1969, she was assigned to the Eastern United States Region in Boston, MA. There, she worked in Boston Chinatown as a part-time private duty nurse, did cooking and housework and also worked as a nurse in the New England Medical Center Hospital until 1974.

For the next 27 years, Sister Ann Teresa was assigned to Honolulu, HI in the Central Pacific Region, where she worked in natural family planning programs, hospital pastoral ministry, and hospice services. She also volunteered as Eucharistic Minister at St. Francis Hospital and Tripler Hospital.

In 2007, Sister Ann Teresa returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY where she worked part-time in the Treasury Department until her retirement in 2012.  She resided in Maryknoll, NY until her death on July 24th, 2023.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Ann Teresa on August 3rd, 2023 at 4:15 P.M. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 4th, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. also at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Dolores A. Ritter died on July 14, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 95 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 71 years.

On December 10, 1928, Sister Dolores A. Ritter was born in Dresden, Kansas to Minnie (Kruse) and Ben Ritter.  She had seven brothers and three sisters; her sister, Mrs. Bernadine Spresser, survives her.

From 1942 – 1946 Sister Dolores attended Leoville Rural High School in Kansas. She then attended Marymount in Salina, Kansas for one semester for pre-clinical classes.  In 1951, she enrolled at St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in Manhattan, Kansas, where she graduated as a Registered Nurse. In 1961, she studied at Mt. San Antonio Jr. College for an Inhalation Therapy Course.  She attended Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts from 1969 to 1972 earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Nursing.  Sister Dolores entered the Maryknoll Sisters on February 1, 1952, in Valley Park, Missouri from her home parish of Immaculate Conception, Salina, Kansas.    She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on September 8, 1954, in Valley Park, Missouri, and her Final Vows on September 8, 1960, in Monrovia, California.

In 1955, she received her first mission assignment to Monrovia, California, where she worked as a nurse with Tuberculosis patients.  Between the years of 1963 and 1972, Sister Dolores was back and forth between Monrovia, California, and Maryknoll, New York working at the Motherhouse in the infirmary.

In 1972, she was assigned to Yap in the Central Pacific Region working as a Supervisor for a Public Health Program at the Yap District Hospital until 1976.  She moved to the Marshal Islands in 1977 as an administrator in Community Health and Natural Family Planning until 1981.  In 1982-1991, she went home to Kansas to care for her mother. In 1991, she returned to the Central Pacific Region, this time in Hilo, Hawaii.  Here she worked at the Island Food Bank for six years before moving to Pahala, Hawaii.  In Pahala, she worked in the parish as a choir member, a lector and also attended Women’s Club meetings.  She also taught at Pahala Elementary School in the Foster Grandparents Program and worked in Special Education until 1998.  Sister Dolores moved back to Hilo, Hawaii in 1999 to 2005 working as a clerical volunteer at Huliau Okau Resource Center and as a hospice volunteer.

In 2008, Sister returned to Monrovia, California to retire, and in 2018, she came back to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY where she stayed until her death on July 14, 2023.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Dolores Ritter on Monday, July 24, 2023 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Carol Hassey died on July 13, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 93 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 66 years.

On June 30, 1930, Sister Carol Hassey was born in Columbus, Ohio, to Mary Theresa (Worch) and William Edward Hassey.  She had four sisters.  Three sisters, Ann, Mary, and Margaret have predeceased her. Her sister Martha and her husband Frank and nephew David survive her.

From 1944 to 1948, Sister Carol attended Holy Rosary High School in Columbus, Ohio.   She then attended Mount Carmel Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where she earned an R.N. degree in 1951.  From 1952 to 1954, she attended St. Mary of Springs earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She entered the Maryknoll Sisters from Valley Park, Missouri, on December 30, 1956.  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on August 8, 1959, in Valley Park, Missouri, and her Final Vows on August 22, 1965, in Bolivia.

In 1959 she received her first mission assignment at the Maryknoll Motherhouse, Maryknoll, New York to serve in the infirmary until 1960 when she went to Kansas City as a nursing and clinical instructor and nursing supervisor until her next mission assignment in 1966.  She was missioned to Riberalta and Santa Cruz in Bolivia where using her nursing skills she served in underdeveloped rural areas, supervising clinics and conducting health classes until 1974.   From 1974 through 1977, she was sent to Mineros and Montero, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where she worked as an Instructor at the School of Practical Nursing.

In 1981 Sister Carol returned to the United States for further studies at Notre Dame College, Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland earning her Master’s Degree in Psychology in 1983. In 1984 she returned to Bolivia, this time to Cochabamba where she served as the administrator of the Center House until 1987. She was at the Language Institute as a staff member and Director of the Orientation Program from 1987 to 1993.

In 1993, Sister returned to Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, New York for Congregational Services as a volunteer in Health Care, and in the Out-Patient Clinic as the Clerical Assistant.  At the Center, her kind and welcoming ways served her well as renewal coordinator from 1994-2000.

Sisters Carol had a variety of service roles–in the choir, in the Health Services Office and Treasury as a clerk, and manager of the COOP shop.  She transferred to the Chi Rho Community in 2016 and to Eden in 2020.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Carol Hassey on Thursday, July 20, 2023  at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Lourdes Fernandez died on July 7, 2023 In Moundou, T’chad.  She was 80 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 56 years.

Sister Lourdes Fernandez on March 27, 1943 was born in Ramon, Isabella, Philippines to Simeona (Reyno) and Primitivo Q. Fernandez.  She had four brothers and two sisters; she is survived by her brother Diosdado, and two sisters, Gloria Valdez and Nena Nacionales.

From 1954 to 1958, Sister Lourdes attended La Salette of Santiago High School in Isabela, Philippines.  In 1960, she received an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from the La Salette College of Santiago. She continued her studies at Saint Rita College, Manila, Philippines where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1964.  She received her Master’ degree from the Maryknoll School of Theology in 1974.

Sister Lourdes entered the Maryknoll Sisters on June 26, 1967 from Manila, Philippines.  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on June 6, 1971, in Hong Kong, Macau Region and her Final Vows on November 27, 1975 in Hong Kong.

In 1969, she received her first mission assignment to Hawaii, where she taught at St. Ann’s School in Kaneohe until 1971.  She moved to Hong Kong that same year, where she taught English and Religious Education for three years.  In 1973, Sr. Lourdes started her involvement with Worker’s Formation Program in Hongkong. She worked with the workers until 1991, including being coordinator of Asian Workers Exchange, a response to the influx of migrant workers in Hongkong.  In 1991 she came to Maryknoll, NY to do congregational services in the communications department until 1994.

In 1995 Sister Lourdes, answered a called from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) to help rebuild the Church in Eastern Europe.  This mission took her to Korce, Albania teaching at Preca College.  She moved to Pogradec, Albania where she also taught, did pastoral work and home visits.   In 2002, Sister Lourdes left Albania and returned to Maryknoll, NY to give congregational service doing mission promotion.

In 2006 she returned to Albania and taught religious studies and English at the Lambertini School in Elbasan City and later did pastoral work with the St. Vincent de Paul in Gramsh.

In 2013-2019 was appointed a member of the Congregational Vocation Team, with residence in Baguio, Philippines.     In 2022 she and six other sisters started a new community they called Presence, based in Monrovia, CA and from there, in May 2023, opened a new mission presence in Moundou, T’Chad.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Lourdes on July 14, 2023 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Moundou, T’Chad

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on July 15, 2023 at 12:30  P.M. local time at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Moundou, T’Chad.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Marilyn Snediker died on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 94 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 59 years.

On April 23, 1929 Marilyn Snediker was born in the City of Kankakee, IL to Mary (Shrake) Snediker and Oliver R. Snediker.  She had one brother who predeceased her and no sisters.  Her niece and nephew survive her.

Marilyn attended Warsaw High School from 1944 to 1946 in Warsaw, IN.  From 1947-48 she attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.  She earned her R.N. at Mt. Carmel Hospital in Columbus, OH in 1951.  She graduated from Mary Rogers College in 1968 with an Associate in Arts Degree.   In 1969, she received a certificate in Midwifery from London, England.

Marilyn entered the Maryknoll Sisters at Valley Park, MO on October 18, 1964 from the St. Joseph Parish, New York, NY.  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on June 24, 1967 in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on October 18, 1970 in Tanzania.

Sister Marilyn received her first mission assignment to Tarime, Tanzania in 1967, where she was in charge of a small rural dispensary until 1972. She also taught health and preventative medicine to the African staff. In 1972-86, Sister Marilyn was at the Center on Congregational Services where she held various positions and many different jobs. She worked in Health Services as Assistant Director in 1972-1976; in the Treasury Department and the Library in 1976-1979; she was secretary to the Administrator of the Nursing Home in 1980; the Research and Planning Secretary in 1980-1982; and a staff member of Social Concerns until 1986.

In 1987, Sister Marilyn was assigned to El Peten, Guatemala where she worked in a Diocesan Program for the Promotion of Women until 1993.  In 1994 to 1998 she was in San Jose Comunidad in Guatemala City doing Pastoral work with women.

Sister Marilyn returned to the Center, Maryknoll, NY in 1999 for Congregational Services.  She volunteered as an aide in the Information Systems Office and as the clerk in the Out-Patient Care Unit until 2009.

In 2009, Sister Marilyn retired to the Eden Community where she remained until her death.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Marilyn on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Anne Karen Brannick died on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 101 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 80 years.

On May 18, 1921 Anne Karen Brannick was born in Rockford, IL to Mary Ellen (Riordan) and Michael Brannick.  She had three brothers who have predeceased her.  She had no sisters.  Her nieces and nephews survive her.

From 1935 to 1939, Anne Karen attended Aquin High School in Freeport, IL.   She then attended the Rosary College in River Forest where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1943. She continued her studies at the University of Hawaii and received her Master’s in Social Work in 1954.

She entered the Maryknoll Sisters in Maryknoll, NY on September 7, 1943 from St. Mary’s Parish in Rockford, IL.  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on March 7, 1946 in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on March 7, 1947 in Honolulu, HI.

In 1946, she received her first mission assignment to Nuuanu, Punahou, Hawaii where she worked in social services. She became the Superior of the Maryknoll Sisters Community in Punahou in 1960.

Sister returned to Rockford, IL for family ministry from 1964 until 1966. From 1966-68, Sister was assigned to the Western US Region in Monrovia, CA where she was in charge of the Medicare program in the Admissions office in the hospital.

In 1968, Sister returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.  She held in various positions and many different jobs until 2006. She worked on the Switchboard in 1968-1977; in the Research and Planning Department in 1977-1982; in the Rogers Library in 1983-1987. She became the Rogers Library Administrator which became Rogers Library Administrator and Research Services in 1990-2003.  In 2004 Sister Anne Karen volunteered in the Treasury department and worked for Telephone Services until 2012.

In 2012 she retired to the Eden Community at the Center until her death.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Anne Karen on Monday, May 1, 2023 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Laura Magallanes died on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 95 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 75 years.

On July 22, 1927, Laura Magallanes was born in Los Angeles, CA, to Teresa (Guerra) Magallanes and Jose Magallanes.  She had six brothers, Frank, Gabriel, Joseph, Michael, Nick and Ralph and six sisters, Angela, Marie, Katherine, Sr. Adela, Rosemary and Teresa. All have predeceased her.  Her nieces and nephews survive her.

Laura attended Sacred Heart Academy High School in Los Angeles, CA from 1943 to 1946.

She entered the Maryknoll Sisters at Valley Park, MO on October 14, 1948 from St. Mary’s Parish in Los Angeles, CA.    She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on May 8, 1951 in Valley Park, MO.

In 1951, she received her first mission assignment to Chile and was assigned to Galvarino where she taught 2^nd and 3^rd grade until the end of the school year. Sister Laura and Sister Henrietta Coppard, M.M. went to Chillan in 1952.  They started a mission working with the poor and a parish school for the children of families living in extreme urban poverty. Sr. Laura was the assistant principal and also taught primary school.  She made her Final Vows on May 8, 1954 in Chile.

Sr. Laura moved around Chile in the years 1958 to 1970. Sister taught 3^rd and 4^th grade at the San Juan de Dios Parish School in Santiago in 1958; she taught 1^st and 2^nd grade in the Parish School in Curepto in 1959-1960; she was Administrator of the Language Study House in Pucon and taught religion and English in Manuel Guinez Boy’s Campo School in 1961-1964; she was assistant principal and primary school  teacher in Talca in 1965-1967; she was principal of Santo Tomas Boys School in Temuco in 1968 and in 1969, she was a primary school teacher in Talcahuano until 1970.  In all the years of teaching in schools, she loved visiting the homes of her students to understand them better, some of them living in city dumps.

She went back to the USA in 1970-71 for studies. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Mary Rogers College at Maryknoll, NY in 1971.

Sister Laura returned to Chile in 1972. She lived and worked among those living in extreme poverty. She did mostly pastoral work, also organized soup kitchen, trained catechists, visited homes, hospitals and prisons. She was in Talcahuano in 1972, in Talca in 1973-1989 and in Melipilla in 1990-1994. Sister Laura was in Chile for 43 years and loved it.

Sister Laura transferred to the Western US Region in 1994 and lived in San Diego, CA until 2009.  She ministered to the elderly in hospitals, visited elderly who were shut-ins, volunteered at nearby senior citizen centers, helped minorities and was a neighbor to the neighbors.  Once a month she participated in sharing life and faith experiences in a support group for women.

In 2009, Sister returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY where she remained until her death on April 13, 2023.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Laura on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Ruth Elizabeth Greble, M.M. died on Sunday, April 9, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 101 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 74 years.

On November 16, 1921, Ruth Elizabeth Greble was born in Philadelphia, PA to Emma (Klotz) Greble and Robert Greble.  She had one sister who pre-deceased her.  Her nieces and nephews survive her.

Ruth attended John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School in Philadelphia, PA from 1936-1939.   She attended Pierce Business School in Philadelphia in 1940.

Ruth entered the Maryknoll Sisters on September 6, 1949 at Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on March 7, 1952, from Maryknoll, NY, and her Final Vows on March 8, 1955, also in Maryknoll, NY.  Sister Ruth received her first mission assignment as the secretary to the Superior General of the Maryknoll Priests and Brothers in 1952-1956.

From 1956-1960 she studied at Rogers College in Maryknoll, NY obtaining a Bachelor of Education in 1960.  She received a Master’s degree in Geography from Boston University in 1961. She continued her studies and did her doctoral dissertation research in Tanzania from 1962-1964. She received her Ph.D. in Geography from Boston University in 1971.

Concurrent with her studies, Sr. Ruth was assigned to administrative and teaching positions at Maryknoll’s Rogers College. In 1967, she was Vice-President of Rogers College and then became President in 1968 until its closure in 1973. She was also active in Maryknoll Sisters community life, serving as a Delegate at the 1968 Chapter, a member of the Center Board from 1971-1973, and Chair of the Center Board from 1973-1975.

In 1975, Sister Ruth was assigned to Sudan. She helped establish a national center for pastoral, liturgical, and catechetical training. It became PALICA National Center where Sister Ruth worked until 1989. From 1989-1992, she taught at and was a staff member of Munuki Major Seminary in Juba. From 1993-1996, she was on the administration staff of the Maryknoll Sisters World Section House in Nairobi, Kenya. Sr. Ruth returned to Sudan in 1997-1998 where she taught in the local primary school and aided in revitalizing a women’s center in Chukudum.  In 1999, she moved to Nairobi, Kenya where she worked part-time at the Diocesan office until 2004.  During her time in Sudan and Kenya, Sr. Ruth did the finances for the Maryknoll Sisters’ Sudan Region, helped the Tanzania Region, and kept the financial accounts of the Africa World Section House until 2006.

In 2007, Sister Ruth left Africa and was assigned to the Western U.S. Region. She lived in Walnut Creek, CA, where she volunteered her services by visiting women in prison, a Catholic Charities Program, as well as in a new project for returning veterans.  She was also invited to give talks about Africa at the local Christ the King Parish until 2014.

In 2015, Sister returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to retire.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Ruth on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.