Maple Mount — Sister Rita Redmond, 81, an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph, died Sept. 3 at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 63rd year of religious life. She was a native of Fort Scott, Kan.
Sister Rita was an Ursuline of Paola, Kan., before the merger of that community with Mount Saint Joseph in 2008. Her former religious name was Sister Mary de Lourdes.
Sister Rita was a born teacher, and stayed in contact with students she had from 60 years earlier. She was a multi-tasker before that word was invented, and always looked for an opportunity to help someone in need.
Sister Rita taught in St. Patrick’s School in Paola, from 1950-57, then St. Patrick/Holy Trinity School from 1957-59. She taught at Bishop Miege High School in Shawnee Mission from 1959-68, and at Sacred Heart School in Bonner Springs from 1968-69. She was coordinator of educational materials at the Lakemary Center from 1969-95, and was librarian of the East Central Kansas Special Education Materials Center from 1974-2001. She worked in internal ministry at the Paola Motherhouse from 2001 until her move to Maple Mount in 2009.
Survivors include the members of her religious community.
The funeral Mass took place on Sept. 6, 2012 at Mount Saint Joseph.
Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, Owensboro, was in charge of arrangements.
Gifts in memory of Sister Rita may take the form of donations to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.
(Read her Wake Reflection on Page 2)
Comments
I was one of the lucky kids she taught in St. Patricks School. I saw her last when I was at Mount Saint Joseph for my sister Ann Marie’s funeral. She was sharp, sweet and her eyes sparkled just as I remember them in the 1950’s.
Rest in Peace Sister de Lourdes.
She was my 3rd, 4th & 5th grade teacher at St Patrick’s in Paola. Such a sweet & caring lady. I last saw her 2 years ago when we were in Kentucky and stopped to see her. I had such wonderful nuns for teachers and she was very special.
My heart is saddened as the thought of Sr. Rita not being here on earth but at the same time gladdened at the thought that she is with Jesus. I was blessed first of all with her friendship and love and later blessed that I could take care of her as she failed in health. Her smile will be with be always here on earth until I see her in Heaven.