(05/04/13) McCoy, Sister Rita E. (formerly Sister Mary Walter), 87, a Sister of Mercy and a former teacher, principal, and pastoral minister, passed away on Friday, May 3, 2013, at Mount St. Rita Health Centre, Cumberland, RI.
Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Walter and Margaret (Doheny) McCoy. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1943, and professed her perpetual vows on August 16, 1949.
Sister Rita graduated from St Xavier Academy in Providence. In her religious community, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Catholic Teachers College in Providence and a masters degree in education from Rhode Island College. She also studied at Boston College Graduate School in the Institute of Religious Education.
A natural educator, Sister taught in six schools in the Diocese of Providence: St. Ann School in Providence; Our Lady of Mercy School in East Greenwich; St Patrick School in Providence; St. Mary School, Bristol; St. Brendan School, Riverside; and St. Teresa School, Pawtucket. Sister Rita served as principal of St Teresa School from 1971 to 1986, at a time when Catholic schools were numerous and had large student bodies. During her tenure at St. Teresa, Sister was a founding member of the Mercy Elementary School Principals Association, a group that quickly became a national organization. After leaving the ministry of education in 1968, Sister Rita became a full-time Pastoral Minister at St. Patrick Parish, Cumberland, where she served to 1997 at which time she retired.
In addition to her religious community, the Sisters of Mercy, Sister Rita is survived by a sister, Natalie Tobin of North Providence and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters, Barbara Salesses, Dorothy Tobin and Margaret Gaethoff.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 7, at 11 am in Mount St. Rita Chapel, Cumberland. Visitation Tuesday at the Health Centre from 9:00 am to 10:50 am with a Mercy Prayer Service at 10:20 am. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to Mount St. Rita Health Centre, 15 Sumner Brown Rd., Cumberland, RI 02864 or to the Sisters of Mercy, 15 Highland View Rd., Cumberland, RI 02864, will be deeply appreciated. www.galloglyfuneralhome.com
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