Sister Mary Rita Sweeney, OP of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, Ossining, New York, died on November 20, 2022 at The Wartburg, Mount Vernon, New York. She was 96 years old.
The daughter of the late John Joseph and Rose Galligan Sweeney, she was born February 3, 1926 in New York City.
Sister Mary Rita entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh, New York on September 8, 1956, made her First Profession June 13, 1958, and Final Profession August 21, 1961. She earned two Master’s degrees, one in business education from Columbia University and another in religious studies from Providence College.
Sister Mary Rita was involved in education for many years. She taught at St. Thomas School in Pleasantville, New York (1960-63), was a business teacher at Saint Mary High School in Paterson New Jersey (1963-65), at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie New York (1965-68), and at Pope Pius XII Regional High School in Passaic, New Jersey (1968-69). Sister served as principal at Assumption School in Fairfield, Connecticut (1969-70), was formation director at Mount Saint Mary Convent in Newburgh, New York (1970-71), a business teacher at Immaculate High School in Danbury, Connecticut (1971-74), executive secretary to the Dominican Sisters in Newburgh (1974-79), and principal at Assumption School in Fairfield, Connecticut (1979-96).
Sister Mary Rita served as secretary to the leadership team of the Dominican Sisters of Hope in their administration offices in Ossining, New York from 1996 until her retirement in 2011.
In addition to her Dominican Sisters of Hope, Sister Mary Rita is survived by her sisters-in-law, Maureen Sweeney and Rita Sweeney. She is also survived by 28 nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brothers John and James and her sisters Margaret O’Donoghue and Rose Cuff and her nephew, Robert James O’Donoghue.
A celebration of Sister Mary Rita’s life will take place on Wednesday November 30, 2022 at the Center at Mariandale, Ossining, New York. The viewing will take place starting at 9 a.m. followed by a wake service at 10:15 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m.
Immediately following the liturgy, Sister will be buried in the Dominican Sisters of Hope Cemetery on the grounds the Center at Mariandale in Ossining, New York.
Donations in Sister’s memory can be made to the Dominican Sisters of Hope Development Office, 299 North Highland Ave, Ossining, NY 10562.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Brooks Funeral Home, Gidney Avenue, Newburgh, New York.
Sister Mary Rita, was one of kindness, most generous,fair, lovely woman my family ever met. Sister was an Assumption School in Fairfield CT. All our hearts were broken,that our children would no longer in their lives everyday. Sister carried a love, compassion and empathy from which we all were privileged to witness each day. God bless you,rest i peace.
Sister Mary Rita was a very special person. It was a joy having her as our principal at Our Lady of Assumption school in Fairfield. She loved her students. May you Rest In Peace Sister Mary Rita
All five of our children had the privilege of attending Our Lady of Assumption School in Fairfield, CT. Sister Mary Rita was a wonderful principal. She knew all the children and spent time talking to them. One of our girls, Kathleen, was in a Spelling Bee for Catholic children in the eighth grade. Sister took the train to DC to attend the Bee! Kathleen was the only student from Assumption! She actually challenged the judges ruling on a word! She was one in a million!