Sister Mary Florita Souza

SOUZA, SISTER MARY FLORITA, 79, a Sister of Mercy and a retired educator, died Tuesday at the Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River.

Born Elizabeth Souza in Taunton, MA, she was the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Pimental) Souza.

Sister entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1948. She would have celebrated her 60th anniversary next month. Sister professed her vows on March 12, 1951.

Sister taught elementary school children in the Dioceses of Fall River and Providence for 45 years. Some of the schools in which she taught in Fall River were Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton, Holy Name School, New Bedford, and Sts. Peter and Paul School, Fall River.

In addition to her religious family, the Sisters of Mercy, she leaves her sisters Evelyn Maura of Raynham; Barbara Holtz, Agnes Massey, and Libby Souza, all of California; her brothers Joseph of Berkley, Francis of Taunton, and Robert Souza of Brockton. She was the sister of the late Anna Souza and John Souza.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 11:10 a.m. in the Catholic Memorial Home Chapel, 2446 Highland Avenue, Fall River. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Catholic Memorial Home, with a Mercy Prayer Service at 10:30. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Taunton. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Sisters of Mercy Ministry Fund, 15 Highland View Rd., Cumberland, RI 02864 would be deeply appreciated. Arrangements by WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE.