Sister Rita Ferry, H.M. (formerly Sr. M. Maurice) died Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at St. Angela Center, Pepper Pike, Ohio. Born in Masury, Ohio she was the youngest of five children and a 1956 graduate of Villa Maria High School, Villa Maria, Pennsylvania.
She entered the Humility of Mary Congregation in January 1957 and professed first vows in July 1959. Her profession of perpetual vows was in July 1964. She celebrated her golden jubilee as a Sister of the Humility of Mary in 2007.
In her reflection at Sister Rita’s March 15 funeral at Villa Maria Chapel, Sister Ruthmary Powers noted that Sister Rita’s living to the day of her jubilee celebration was a great accomplishment for her as Sister Rita had had cancer for many years. Sister Ruthmary noted that “this disease became Sister Rita’s worst enemy and her best friend. It challenged this bright, talented woman in a way no human person could. It forced her to confront her greatest weakness and her greatest strength—but she was not stingy with her disease—no, through her suffering she was able to form multiple communities of people who walked with her, struggled with her—as she did with them.”
In 1967 Sister Rita completed her BSE from St. John College, Cleveland and in 1972 earned her M.Ed. from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. She received her MA in Counseling and Human Services in 1991 from John Carroll University, Cleveland where she also completed the work for her LPCC in 1995.
Sister Rita was a dedicated educator and licensed professional clinical counselor for a total of 42 years in the Cleveland and Youngstown dioceses. In the early years of her ministry she served as a teacher and educational media specialist at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Ashtabula and St. Patrick, Kent. She also taught at St. Martin of Tours, Maple Heights; St. Mary, Painesville; and St. Christopher, Rocky River. She then served as principal of St. Raphael, Bay Village and St. Ambrose, Brunswick.
After receiving her degree in counseling and human services and then her license as a professional clinical counselor, Sister Rita worked as a family therapist with the Geauga County Department of Human Resources in Chardon and as executive administrator and a psychotherapist at Mental Health Options in Cleveland. She was director of pastoral ministry and a counselor at Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills where she later volunteered as her illness permitted. She was grateful to provide support to others in need at the Ireland Cancer Center in Mentor until she was no longer able. She participated in the Ministry of Prayer with her sisters until her death.
She is survived by her sisters in the Humility of Mary Congregation; two brothers and her sisters-in-law, Richard and Viola Ferry of Springfield, Ohio and The Villages, Florida and Vincent and Betty Ferry of Fairborn, Ohio and The Villages, Florida; 15 nieces and nephews; and 19 grandnieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael J. and Mary Agnes (Mittal) Ferry; her two sisters, Maryanne Fornadel and Agnes Mijavec; and a nephew, Richard Michael Ferry, Jr.
May Sister Rita enjoy the presence of God in eternity.
Memorial contributions may be forwarded to the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Development Office, PO Box 534, Villa Maria PA 16155.
Close Article