Sister Maria Rita Ruddy, IHM
Sister Maria Rita Ruddy, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on June 8, 1997 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on September 2, 1909 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and givne the name Sarah. She was the daughter of the late Dennis J. and Anna V. Roach Ruddy. She entered the IHM Congregation on October 2, 1925, made her temporary profession of vows on December 27, 1927, and her final profession of vows on July 31, 1931.
Sister Maria Rita served as a teacher at the following elementary schools: St. Mary in Patton, PA, from 1927 to 1928; St. Raymond in East Rockaway, NY, from 1928 to 1934; St. Alphonsus in New York City, NY, from 1934 to 1942; St. Matthew in Wilmington, DE, from 1942 to 1945; St. Mary in Manhasset, NY, from 1945 to 1959; St. Leo in Ashley, PA, from 1959 to 1960; St. Ann in Scranton, PA, from 1960 to 1972; St. Clare in Scranton, PA, from 1972 to 1975; and Our Lady of Peace in Clarks Green, PA, from 1975 to 1981.
From 1989 until the time of her death, Sister Maria Rita served as a prayer minister at the Marin Convent.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Kathleen, who died in infancy, and Sr. Rose Angela, IHM; and three brothers, Thomas E., Gerard A. and Dennis J.
She is survived by two nephews, Dennis Ruddy of East Stroudsburg, PA; and Thomas Ruddy of New Jersey; four nieces, Anna O'Brien and Mary Cummings, both of Long Beach, NY; Rosemarie Ruddy and Anne Ruddy; grandnieces and grandnephews.
Interment will follow the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, Pennsylvania.
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.
Archival Reflection on Sister Maria Rita Ruddy:
Into the lives of hundreds of children at a tender, impressionable age entered Sr. Maria Rita Ruddy, a teacher who lovingly taught the concepts of gentleness, compassion and sensitivity by her example.
Sr. Maria Rita's gracious influence on the lives of her children often extended to parents and parishioners who knew her as a prayerful, caring companion on their spiritual journey. As an educator, she served in elementary schools In Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Between 1981 and 1989, her example of selfless giving was especially influential in the lives of the young women with whom she lived in the house of formation at the IHM Convent in Scranton. She carried that generous spirit to her last years at the Marian Convent where she served in prayer ministry and in service to her sisters.
