FALL RIVER, MA — Mercy Sister Mary Florita Souza, 79, a retired educator, died August 12 at the Catholic Memorial Home.
Baptized Elizabeth Souza in Taunton, MA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Pimental) Souza. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1948, and would have celebrated her 60th anniversary of religious life next month. She professed her vows on March 12, 1951.
Sister Souza served as an elementary school teacher in the dioceses of Fall River and Providence for 45 years.
In addition to her religious sisters, she is survived by four sisters, Evelyn Maura of Raynham; Barbara Holtz, Agnes Massey and Libby Souza, all of California; three brothers, Joseph Souza of Berkley; Francis Souza of Taunton and Robert Souza of Brockton. She was the sister of the late Anna Souza and John Souza.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated August 14 in the chapel of the Catholic Memorial Home. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery, Taunton.
