Obituary of Sister Rita Mandella, OSF
Joliet Franciscan Sister Rita (M. Carmel) Mandella, a devoted and cherished member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate for 66 years, passed into eternal life September 2, 2023, at Ascension Living Villa Franciscan Place.
Sister Rita was born on December 14, 1937, in Joliet to the late Anna Rose (Legan) and Sylvester Mandella. One of six children, Sister Rita entered the Joliet Franciscans from St. Bernard Parish on Joliet’s East Side. Her brothers Bernard Mandella, Eugene Mandella, Richard Mandella and her sister Elizabeth (Mandella) Ruettiger preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister, Linda (Mandella) O’Leary, her brother-in-law Timothy O’Leary and her sister-in-law Norma (Marizza) Mandella. She will be remembered fondly by her nieces and nephews, the students she cherished, parishioners that she served at St. Jude Parish, and the many colleagues that shared her zeal for education throughout the years.
Sister Rita attended St. Bernard Elementary School and St. Francis Academy (1955) in Joliet, Illinois. She earned her BA (1966) in Sociology and Education from the College of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois, and received her MA (1972) in Supervision and Administration from DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois.
Sister Rita began her lifelong ministry in education (1957) at Sacred Heart, Englewood-Chicago, Illinois. She was present for the formation and opening of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic School, Romeoville, Illinois. Sister Rita served as principal at St. Jude School from 1970 to 2009, where she was also the Director of Religious Education. She continued her ministry at St. Jude Parish in pastoral care and parish outreach until 2015. Sister served on the Diocesan School Evaluation Team, numerous school boards and various committees. Lewis University presented Sister Rita with the De La Salle Award (2010) for service and leadership in the community. To celebrate her decades of service to St. Jude School, the Joliet City Council honored her with a proclamation and honorary street sign bearing her name, which was posted on McDonough Street and Hammes Avenue just outside of the school parking lot. Sister Rita continued her call to the ministry of prayer and presence until her final days.
Visitation for Sister Rita Mandella will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet, Illinois, on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. There will be a Visitation (10:00 a.m.) before the Mass for Christian Burial, which will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 North Hickory St. Joliet, Illinois, on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. Remembrances and Committal will follow in the Chapel at Resurrection Cemetery, 200 W. Romeo Rd. Romeoville, Illinois, 60446. All are welcome to attend.
If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Rita Mandella or another Joliet Sister, please send your memorial to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL, 60435.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
