Sister Rita Lerner

Sister Rita, formerly Sister Edward Clare, was born on Dec. 5, 1919. She died on March 25, 2017. She was 97 years old and had been a Sister of Providence for 79 years.

Sister Rita entered the Congregation on Jan. 8, 1938. She professed first and final vows on Aug. 15, 1940 and 1946, respectively.

Sister Rita ministered as a teacher at schools in Washington, D.C., Illinois and California. In 1983, she began a ministry in health care at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods before serving as Activity Director.

Sister Maureen Abbott said Sister Rita was a lifelong learner, with the pun being intentional.