She made many important changes in improving the care provided to the nursing home residents, as well as working with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in establishing a 154-apartment complex for the well elderly. She also developed programs for home care and meals-on-wheels to help elderly Bronx residents remain in their own homes.

‘Riverdalian of the Year’

In recognition of her service to the Riverdale community of Riverdale, Sister Rita was honored as “Riverdalian of the Year” in 1986. She created a lasting symbol of her love for poor seniors by commissioning a statue of Blessed Frances Schervier with a poor elderly gentleman for the Sacred Heart Chapel at Schervier. 

Sister Rita was a founding member of the Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA). She had active membership in the American Association of Homes for the Aging; the National Council on the Aging; the Gerontological Society; the National Conference of Catholic Charities; the New York State Welfare Conference; the American Public Health Association; and the Academy of Pastoral Counselors. She was a member of the League of Women Voters and an active member of Community Board 8 in the Bronx, where she also served on several groups’ boards of directors.

Sister Rita served in leadership roles in her religious congregation as assistant provincial (1964-1968); general councilor (1968-1971); and regional councilor (1992-1997). 

She loved opera, theater and the arts and was a gourmet cook, an avid gardener and an animal lover. During retirement, she enjoyed visiting women prisoners at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. In all her undertakings Sister Rita totally relied on God for the human and financial support needed in her work for the poor.

Sister Rita was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, James and John. She is survived by her sister, Eleanor, of Asbury Park, N.J. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chapel Fund of the Schervier Nursing Care Center, in Bronx, N.Y.