SR. MONIQUE PHILIPPON

SR. MARY RITA PHILIPPON, SMSM

Of Waltham, peacefully entered eternal life in the loving arms of her God on Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 at the Maristhill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Waltham at the age of 92.

Sr. Mary Rita was born on July 19, 1931 in Brunswick, ME.; Beloved daughter of the late Joseph Philippon and Rose Anna (Fortin) Philippon, Sister Mary Rita was one of seven children, four brothers and two sisters.

Sister Mary Rita entered the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary in Bedford, MA. on February 11, 1951.

Sister made her first vows on August 15, 1953 and then attended Framingham State College, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She was missioned to Samoa where she taught and served as Head Teacher in several schools from 1958 to 1973. Sister also gave service at our Generalate in Rome from 1982-1985.

Sister Mary Rita frequently came back to the United States for home visits and to continue her studies. She gave community service in the Marist Sisters Convent "62" community as well as the Marist Hill Nursing Home.

From 1987 to 1989, Sister Mary Rita missioned in Bangladesh.

Sister Mary Rita then returned to the States and gave service to the Marist Missionary Sisters in Lexington, Waltham and the Arlington communities. During the summer, Sister volunteered to help at the Marist Brothers International summer camp in New Hampshire. The Development office and Missions called on her services and talents where she worked from 2001 until 2020 while continuing to give community service at our "62" community.

Sister Mary Rita is survived by her two brothers and two sisters along with numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and their families, as well as her loving & devoted Community of Marist Missionary Sisters. They will all miss her dearly.

Relatives & Friends are respectfully invited to attend a Mass of the Resurrection in celebration of Sister Mary Rita’s Life at the Marist Missionary Sisters Residence, 62 Newton St, Waltham on Friday morning March 22nd at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in the Marist Missionary Sisters Lot at Saint Patrick’s Cemetery in Watertown. Visiting Hours will be held prior to the Funeral Mass in the Marist Missionary Sisters Residence from 9:00 am -10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister's memory may be made to:

Marist Missionary Sisters

349 Grove Street

Waltham, MA. 02453-6018