Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Rita Powell RSM, formerly Sister Marian Rita, age 99, a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, who died peacefully on Friday, August 12,2022 at McAuley Convent. Sister Rita’s years in education began in elementary school and quickly moved toContinue Reading
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Rita Powell RSM, formerly Sister Marian Rita, age 99, a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, who died peacefully on Friday, August 12,2022 at McAuley Convent.
Sister Rita’s years in education began in elementary school and quickly moved to high school where she taught English and History, Drama and Public Speaking at Merion Mercy Academy and Gwynedd Mercy Academy as well as Gwynedd Mercy College. Noted for her gifts in public speaking and elocution, Sister Rita developed skills in her students that would assist them as future leaders.
Sister Rita served as Principal of Gwynedd Mercy Academy from 1962 until 1970, when the community elected her to leadership to the Sisters of Mercy Merion Community where she served as a Council Member for fifteen years.
In 1985 Sister Rita was elected superior general for two consecutive five-year terms. She led the community through the process of formation of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas with the Sisters of Mercy of Merion becoming one of the twenty-five regional communities in the newly formed Mercy Congregation in the United States.
During her tenure as President, she was a member of the Board of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and was the Chair of the Board of Mercy Health System and Gwynedd Mercy College (now Gwynedd Mercy University).
A truly inspirational leader, she was enthusiastic about promoting women as future leaders whether in her years as principal at Gwynedd Mercy Academy or developing formation leaders for the community.
Sister Rita was a truly gracious woman in love with her God, the Community of the Sisters of Mercy, and her beloved family.
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Storytelling: 4:00 pm (virtual)
Thursday, August 25,2022
Greeting and Visitation: 9:00 am – 9:45 am
Funeral Liturgy: 10:00 am
Convent of Mercy, Merion, PA 19066
Burial: following liturgy
Convent of the Sisters of Mercy cemetery
Those attending the funeral liturgy must be fully vaccinated, boosted and wear a mask.
To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Sister Rita Powell, please visit our Tribute Store.
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