OBITUARY

Sister Mary E. Lister, R.S.M.

Posted

CUMBERLAND –Mercy Sister Mary E. Lister, formerly Sister M. Thomasine, 85, a former teacher and principal, died April 19 at Mount St. Rita Health Centre.

Born in East Providence, she was the daughter of the late Arthur S. and Mary (Kelleher) Lister. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1946 and professed her perpetual vows on August 16, 1952.

Sister Lister earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the former Catholic Teachers College, Providence and Master of Arts degree in education from Rhode Island College.

She began her education ministry at the former St. Mary School, Pawtucket, and then was assigned to St. Matthew School, Cranston. Sister Lister later taught at the former Holy Ghost School in Providence and St. Leo School in Pawtucket, and Immaculate Conception School in Westerly. In 1967 she returned to St. Leo School as principal and remained there until 1979. In a brief interlude from teaching, Sister Lister worked as assistant manager at Paul Fournier Auto dealership. She then returned to St. Leo School as a teacher from 1982 to 1995. Sister Lister served at St. Leo School for a total of 32 years. She then served as a certified nursing assistant for the Visiting Nurses Association. In 1998 she was assigned to St. Mary Academy-Bay View and worked in various clerical positions until 2010.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews, and was the sister of the late Arthur J, Thomas E., Howard L., and James L. Lister.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated April 21 in Mount St. Rita Chapel. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland.