OBITUARY

Sister Mary E. Sardinha

Posted

TAUNTON, Mass. — Sister Mary E. Sardinha, 85, passed away on April 10, 2019 at Villa Fatima in Taunton, Massachusetts.

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 grand nieces and nephews.

Sister Mary (Sister 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 Sister “Sarge” will remain a vivid memory in countless lives.

Sister Sards volunteered for the missions in Taipa, Macau, and in Progreso, Texas, aiding the poor on the border of Mexico.

Her hometown of Bristol honored Sister Mary by bestowing the Citizen of the Year Award in recent years.

Sister Mary was energetic and fun. She lived life to the fullest and through her counseling of youth and families shared her loved 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.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on April 15 at St. Elizabeth’s Church, Bristol. Burial followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bristol.

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