Sister Rita Moore

Sister Rita Moore, OP Known as Sister Reginald for many years, died in San Rafael, on November 16 after a brief illness. Rita was born in San Francisco on April 4, 1919, to Harry and Julia Moore. She was the third and oldest daughter of eight children. Rita is survived by her brother Harry (and Kathleen) Moore; sister-in-law, Irma Moore; sister, Doris Moore; and brother, Jerry (and Patty) Moore. Rita was pre-deceased by her brothers, William, Dwight and Jack Moore; and sister Mary Catherine (and Don) Larkin. She is also survived by 27 nieces and nephews and numerous grandnieces and nephews. A graduate of Holy Names High School in Oakland, Rita entered the Dominican novitiate in 1939. Her first teaching assignment was at St. Raphael's where she taught for 12 years. During those years she received her master's degree in English, writing her thesis on T.S. Eliot and Dante. Rita subsequently became principal of St. Cyril's School in Oakland for three years and novice mistress for five years. She taught two years at St. Vincent's High School in Vallejo, five years at Junipero Memorial in Monterey and 20 years at St. Rose Academy in SF. Rita traveled extensively to Europe, the Middle East, the Holy Land, Africa, South America, China, Japan, Russia, the Balkans, India and Thailand. She was an avid student of theology and psychology, of the enneagram and of art and music. She was devoted to the San Francisco Symphony, Opera and Ballet and to all things beautiful. In most recent years (after the Loma Prieta Earthquake) Rita became an active participant of the 6:30 daily Mass at St. Dominic's Church, where she found a special community with members of the parish. Sister Rita's devotion to her family, religious congregation, friends and students was often expressed by notes, immediately written after any memorable occasion. She loved the incredible family parties she often enjoyed and the verbal irony and metaphor of the Moore family. Above all, Rita spoke often of gratitude: for the Divine Office, prayer, life-long study, a teaching career in Dominican schools and her life as a Dominican Sister of San Rafael. At 11:00 am, Monday, November 20, a Mass of the Resurrection will be offered at St. Dominic's Church, Bush and Steiner, SF. At approximately 2:30 pm, Christian Burial will be at St. Dominic's Cemetery in Benicia, East 5th St. and Hillcrest Ave. Donations in her memory may be sent to Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, 1520 Grand Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901 for the care of the retired sisters at Our Lady of Lourdes Convent.