Sr. Rita R. Vanasse, RJM Obituary (1921

Plainville – Sister Rita Vanasse, RJM, (known as Sr. Mary), 92, passed peacefully on Jan. 10, 2014 in Golden Living Center, Attleboro. Born Nov. 23, 1921 in Providence, RI she was a daughter of the late Omer and Rose (England) Vanasse. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Providence RI and graduated from St. Charles High School, Providence, RI. She received her college degree in Education at Catholic Teachers’ College in Providence, RI and did her graduate work in Administration at Fordham University, N.Y. She joined the Community of the Religious of Jesus and Mary on Aug. 6, 1940, received the religious habit on Feb. 6, 1941, pronounced first vows on Aug. 20, 1942 and made her perpetual vows on Aug. 20, 1947. She is survived by her sister Marie Rose Vanasse of Pawtucket, a sister-in-law, Mrs. Bernice Vanasse, and many loving nieces and nephews whom she loved and prayed for. Crowds of dear friends from the many years of service as Religious “loving servant”….Sr. Mary’s last ministry assignment was at St. John’s parish in the Bronx, NY, where, as we are well aware, she is still “an icon” in the minds and hearts of countless loving friends. Sr. Mary’s many ministry assignments through the years, led her to St. Clare’s in Woonsocket, RI where she taught for 12 years and back to Our Lady of Lourdes’ school in Providence as school principal for 5 years. She then went to Highland Mills, N.Y. as superior of the community and teaching religious education at St. Patrick’s parish, then Hyattsville, MD as Superior at Regina Convent for 9 years; Kingsbridge, N.Y. as Superior of St. John’s convent community and school principal; St. Timothy’s Parish, Warwick, RI as administrative assistant and teaching religious ed. for 4 years.; St. John’s Parish in the Bronx, N.Y. is where Sr. Mary spent her last assignment, for nearly 20 years, serving in the school library, and helping the pastor as Pastoral assistant. Jesus and Mary convent was blessed to have Sr. Mary as retired community member. She is missed and remembered lovingly by family, friends, fellow parishioners, and her Religious sisters of Jesus and Mary. Knowing she now enjoys the fullness of life, we now pray TO her… Family and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours on Wednesday morning, Jan. 15 from 9 am - 10 am in St. Martha's Church, South Street, Plainville. A funeral Mass will follow visitation at 10:30 am. Burial will follow in St. Jean de Baptist's Cemetery, Bellingham.