It is with sadness that the Sisters of St. Joseph announce the death of Sister Rita Marie Plante (Sister Immaculate Heart) on Sunday, October 11, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Motherhouse, North Bay.
Sister Rita Marie was born in Quebec, on June 30, 1925. She received her elementary and secondary education in Toronto, Ontario.
She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie, on March 14, 1944. A twenty- three year teaching career took Rita Marie to many cities and towns in Northern Ontario: North Bay, Sudbury, Blind River, Sault Ste. Marie, Schreiber, Killarney and Thunder Bay. Following a period of illness she completed her B.A. at the University of Ottawa and a B.Ed. at Laurentian University, Sudbury. During her teaching career, Rita continued to hone her teaching skills to better address the needs of the young students with whom she worked. In retirement she served as a supply teacher and volunteered her time teaching physically challenged children.
Sister Rita Marie relocated to St. Joseph’s Motherhouse in 1990. Following pastoral ministry studies in Toronto in 1992, Rita served as hospital visitor in North Bay and ministered as pastoral greeter at the Pro Cathedral of the Assumption. She was a presence to many at ‘Country Style Donuts’, her listening ear endeared her to many North Bay residents.
Sister Rita is predeceased by her parents Alma Bolduc and Lorenzo Plante, her siblings Adrian, Roger, Renee, Theophile (Isobel) Claire (Bernard) Helene (John) and Alice. She is survived by her loving and devoted niece Rita Anne Piquet (partner Gill Alkin) and cousins.
Sister Rita will be remembered for her commitment to the physically challenged, the bereaved and the lonely.
The body of Sister Rita will be received at the Motherhouse at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, October 14, 2015. A prayer vigil will be held in the Holy Family Chapel at 7:00 p.m., Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 15, 2015, in the Sacred Heart Chapel. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, North Bay.
May Sister Rita Marie Rest In Peace