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BORN
1920
DIED
2019
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Rita Hamel Obituary
WORCESTER - Sister Rita Mary Hamel, R.S.M., age 99, a Sister of Mercy for 81 years, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 16, 2019 in the Health Center of the Willows at Worcester, She was born in Marlboro, MA on June 9, 1920, the daughter of Alma Chaput Hamel of Ware, MA and Ernest Hamel of Warren, MA. She entered the Sisters of Mercy from St. Mary Parish in Southbridge, MA and was given the name, Sister Mary Consilii upon her entrance to the Novitiate. In 1967 she returned to her Baptismal name of Rita Mary. She leaves her religious community, the Sisters of Mercy of Americas, a niece, Kathleen Potter of Westfield, MA and numerous friends and associates with whom she worked in Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Worcester.
Sister Mary Consilii, now known as Sr. Rita Mary, ministered as a teacher on the elementary level, mainly in grades one and two, for most of her active life. The Worcester Diocesan schools at which she taught include Blessed Sacrament, Saint Paul, Sacred Heart, Christ the King, Our Lady Immaculate in Athol, Saint Aloysius in Gilbertville and Saint Stephen. She will be fondly remembered for her life of personal prayer and her love for children; her treasured gift for teaching her young students about God and how to lift themselves up in prayer; as well as her gift for giving children a solid foundation for learning. She was recognized as an extraordinary primary school educator, helping to shape the minds and hearts of children. After her years of teaching, Sister Rita Mary worked among those in need in the Parish of the Cathedral of St. Paul. Her warm, welcoming and gracious smile and her spirit of joy were hallmarks of her life and her ministry.
Upon her retirement, Sister moved with other Sisters of Mercy to the Health Center at the Willows where she was lovingly cared for by the staff.
On Saturday, December 21 a calling hour at 10 a.m. will precede her Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at the Church of Christ the King, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Leicester, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sr. Rita Mary's memory may be made to the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Retirement Fund, 515 Montgomery Ave., Merion, PA 19066.
The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester is assisting the Sisters of Mercy with the funeral arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rita Hamel
Sponsored by Athy Memorial Home - Worcester.
2 Entries
Sean Bowen
April 29, 2023
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Sean T. Bowen (Your 3rd grade student: St. Stephen's)
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Alice Bowen
December 20, 2019
It is with great sadness I read of my Sister Mary Consilii's passing. She was my favorite teacher, my first grade teacher at Sacred Heart School and a lifelong friend. She was quite the educator and mentor, friendly and funny, pushing us to be our best and always kind and smiling, and very independent right thru her 80's. She could be found driving younger nuns around up and down Highland and Grafton St. and maintaining her car herself. She was quite the pistol. I so admired her cheerfulness and her ability to talk to everyone...and at a fast speed! She was a dear. The good Lord should bless her with a great spot in heaven as a reward for all her good works here but He better not give her free reign or she will be reorganizing and running around there at full speed. May she finally Rest in Peace. I will miss knowing she is not on the earth praying for me and all her other students and friends, some of whom I am sure were waiting for her at the Gate.
Bo Bowen
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