Sr. Rita McNally

Sister Rita McNally (Sister Mary Kevin), a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery, West Hartford, CT died at the Sisters of St. Joseph Provincial House on Saturday, September 6, 2025. Born in Westport, CT on November 3, 1923 of the late Thomas Joseph McNally and Mary Esther (Reilly) McNally, Sister Rita entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 8, 1941 and celebrated her Profession of Vows on August 23, 1947. She was 101 years of age and in her 84th year of Religious Life.

Sister Rita earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Diocesan Sisters College, West Hartford, CT. and a Master of Arts Degree in History from Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. She taught in the elementary schools of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Bridgeport, and the Springfield Diocese. She also taught at South Catholic High School in Hartford and Sacred Heart Academy in Stamford and taught History at the Diocesan Sisters College.

Sister Rita had a deep love for the poor and needy. Following her career as a teacher, she spent the rest of her life serving others, responding with extraordinary love and care to the most desperate and disadvantaged. She answered God's call as a missionary to Liberia, Africa, to the quarters of Vredenburgh, Alabama, to a basement thrift shop within the Provincial house in West Hartford, CT and as gift giver extraordinaire to the residents of Tabor House. No matter where she was, Sister Rita was always observant and attentive to those around her and took every advantage to visit, bring food, or drive someone to a medical appointment.

Living a long life also provided her the opportunity to serve as secretary and gracious tour guide at the General House of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Rome, Italy and to teach English as a second language to the immigrant employees of the Sisters of St. Joseph. She was unassuming, yet larger than life – even being selected as the Sister whose picture was on the flyers and posters for the Retirement Fund for Religious Annual Collection in 2012. There are hundreds of stories about her! Whether riding a horse, a tractor or a motorcycle – driving her truck - riding in a helicopter or on a cargo ship headed for Africa, she was in her glory. Sister Rita's faith-filled and indefatigable spirit was inspiring to all. She will be missed by all who experienced her generosity and love.

In addition to her Sisters in Community Sister Rita is survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Sister was predeceased by her brothers Reverend P. James McNally, Robert and Peter McNally, her brothers and sisters-in-law, William and Mary B. McNally and Joseph and Eileen Rodican McNally, her sister and brother-in-law Ann and John Mullen, and her sisters, Mary C. McNally and Sister Catherine McNally, CSJ.

Relatives and friends may gather to celebrate Sister Rita's life on Tuesday, September 16, at the Sisters of St. Joseph Provincial House Chapel, 27 Park Road, West Hartford, CT for a Mass of Resurrection at 11:00 a.m., with calling hours from 9:30 a.m.–10:45 a.m. Burial will immediately follow the Mass at the Sisters of St Joseph Cemetery on Ringgold Street in West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a memorial donation to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 650 Willard Ave., Newington, CT 06111 or online at https://sistersofsaintjoseph.org Fisette-Batzner Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington has care of arrangements.