Sister Profile

Sister Mary Rita Griffin

Formerly Sister Mary Paula

Sister Mary Rita was born on November 20, 1936 and died on March 6, 2020.

Biography

Sister Mary Rita was a native of Washington, D.C. She passed away on Friday, March 6, 2020, at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Sister Mary Rita was 83 years old and had been a Sister of Providence for 65 years.

Sister Mary Rita, formerly Sister Mary Paula, entered the Congregation on July 22, 1954. She professed final vows on January 23, 1962.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education. She also has a master’s degree in general science from Virginia State University.

Sister Mary Rita has ministered in Indiana, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Illinois and Taiwan.

Here is Sister Mary Rita’s complete ministry:

In Indiana: Teacher, Our Lady of Greenwood, Greenwood (1957-58); Teacher, St. Francis Xavier, Vincennes (1960-64); Administrative Assistant, Woods Day Care/Pre-School, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2005-14); Coordinator, Shrine of Our Lady of Providence and Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2014-20).

In Washington, D.C.: Teacher, St. Ann (1958-60); Principal, Dunblane (1972-76); Principal, Teacher, Dunblane (1976-78); Teacher, St. Ann (1984-85); Coordinator of Volunteers, SOME So Others May Eat (1985-90); Director of Day Center for the Homeless, Friendship Place (1993-95); Administrative Director Friendship Place, Community Council for Homeless (1995-99); Haven Resident Manager, Community Council for Homeless (2000-03).

In Massachusetts: Teacher, St. Rose High School, Chelsea (1969-70).

In Maryland: Teacher, St. Clement, Lansdowne (1964-69).

In North Carolina: Principal, Teacher, St. Therese, Wilson (1970-72).

In Illinois: Principal, Our Lady of Sorrows, Chicago (1978-84).

In Taiwan: Bookkeeper, Teacher, Mother Marie Gratia Center (2003-05).

Obituary

Read her obituary here.

Written by this sister

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Photographs

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Several Sisters of Providence celebrated Jubilees in December. They were honored at a celebration with the Sisters of Providence General Council. The sisters celebrating Jubilees included (front, from left) Sister Marie Smith, General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson and Sister Betty Donoghue, (middle) Sister Suzanne Smith, General Council member Sister Mary Beth Klingel and SIsters Marilyn Trobaugh, Mary Rita Griffin and Kathleen Dede, (back) General Council members Sisters Jenny Howard and Dawn Tomaszewski, Sister Dorothy Larson, General Council member Sister Lisa Stallings and Sisters Joseph Fillenwarth and Ruth Ellen Doane.
Sister Mary Rita Griffin reacts with delight to something said by a person at her table.
The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, Archives Department includes (seated, from left) Sister Marianne Mader, Sister Janet Gilligan, (back, from left) Sister Maureen Abbott, Sister Mary Rita Griffin and Sister Marie Grace Molloy.