Sister Mary E. Sardinha

"Sister Sards" dedicated her life to God, and was known to generations here

Posted 4/16/19

Sister Mary E. Sardinha, 85, passed away on April 10, 2019 at Villa Fatima in Taunton, MA.

Beloved daughter of Alexandrina Mello and Manuel Sardinha, Mary Elizabeth was born in 1934. She was the …

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Sister Mary E. Sardinha

"Sister Sards" dedicated her life to God, and was known to generations here

Posted

Sister Mary E. Sardinha, 85, passed away on April 10, 2019 at Villa Fatima in Taunton, MA.

Beloved daughter of Alexandrina Mello and Manuel Sardinha, Mary Elizabeth was born in 1934. She was the only daughter among seven brothers; Manuel, Joseph, John, Louis, Anthony, Edward and George, all of whom predeceased her. She leaves many special and loved nieces, nephews and grandnieces and nephews.

Sr. Mary (Sr. Sards) entered the Sisters of St. Dorothy in 1951 and professed her perpetual vows in 1960. She then taught in elementary schools in New York, Michigan, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She was principal of St. Francis Xavier School in East Providence and in 1972 was assigned to Our Lady of Fatima High School in Warren. She was instrumental in founding Fatima’s Pro-Life Club which was a cause very dear to her, to the extent of spending time in jail in defense of this worthy cause. Summer Camp at Mount St. Joseph with Sr. “Sarge” will remain a vivid memory in countless lives.

Sr. Sards volunteered for the missions in Taipa, Macau and in Progreso, Texas aiding the poor on the border of Mexico. The East Bay Chamber of Commerce honored Sr. Mary by bestowing her the Citizen of the Year Award in 2013.

Sr. Mary was energetic, fun and lived life to the fullest. Through her counseling of youth and families she shared her love and enthusiasm for God with countless people. She will be deeply missed by her Sisters, family members and by all who been touched by her life.

Her funeral services were held April 15th from the George Lima Funeral Home, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Marinaldo Batista at St. Elizabeth’s Church. Liturgical readings were by Sr. Rosalie Patrello and Peter Sardinha. The Prayer of the Faithful was read by Rosemary Arruda and the offertory gifts were presented by Peggy Ruggiero, Pat Sardinha and Bonnie Sardinha.

Burial followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Jacob Sardinha, Bob Sardinha, Ray Sardinha, Ed Sardinha, Daniel Svogun and Nathaniel Svogun.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Sisters of St. Dorothy, 13 Monkey Wrench Lane, Bristol RI 02809.

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