Sister Rita Halligan, IHM
Sister Rita Halligan, IHM (formerly known as Sister M. Josetta) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, March 11, 2004, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA.
She was born on June 19, 1924 in Teaneck, NJ, and given the name Margaret Rita. She was the daughter of the late Michael and Mary Ellen Carlson Halligan. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1943, made temporary profession of her vows on May 8, 1946, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1949.
Sister Rita served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1946 to 1948; Nativity of Our Lord Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1963 to 1965; St. Matthew Elementary School in East Stroudsburg, PA, from 1953 to 1954; St. Matthew Elementary School in Wilmington, DE; and Sacred Heat Elementary School in and Mount Holly, NJ. She also served at schools located in Baltimore, MD; Goldsboro and Washington, NC.
Sister served as principal at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Elementary School in Asbury Park, NJ, from 1969 to 1975.
Sister Rita also served as the assistant superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Trenton, NJ, from 1975 to 1982; educational consultant for the IHM Congregation from 1982 to 1986; pastoral minister at St. Augustine Parish in Larchmont, NY, from 1986 to 2001; and receptionist at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 2001 to 2003.
From 2003 until the time of her death, she served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.
She received a Bachelor of Music degree from Marywood College, and a Master of Science degree in elementary principalship from Monmouth College.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Michael John.
She is survived by a sister, Sister M. Edith, IHM of Scranton, PA, a brother, Dr. William A. Halligan, MD of Pinehurst, NC, nieces and nephews.
The funeral was Tuesday, March 16 at 10:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at the Marian Convent on Monday afternoon or evening.
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
