Remembering Sister Rita Mandella, OSF

When Sister Rita Mandella was asked how she wanted to be remembered, she said, “I loved God, my family, my Franciscan Sisters, and friends.” Indeed, the theme she chose for her funeral was from 1 Corinthians 16:14: “Your every act should be done with love.” Rita will also be remembered for being easy to tease and play tricks on, a good sense of humor, a beautiful voice, very detailed and organized, a good worker, and loved babies! She died on September 2, 2023, at Ascension Villa Franciscan Place in Joliet.

Rita Ann was born on December 14, 1937, to Sylvester and Anna Mandella and was the fifth of six children. As a small child, she saw her two older brothers join the armed services during World Wat II. Bernard, at first missing in action, was then a prisoner of war in Germany until the war ended. Gene traveled on an expedition to Antarctica with Admiral Byrd where their Navy ship was punctured by an iceberg. When a documentary was made about the incident, Gene was cast in the movie and Rita went to the theater over and over again just to see him.

Rita grew up in St. Bernard’s parish in Joliet. When she was in the sixth grade, while vacuuming a carpet, she suddenly knew she wanted to be a nun. As a high school student she entered St. Francis Preparatory, and by her senior year she was accepted as a postulant. One year later, as a novice, she took the name Sister Mary Carmel in honor of the Carmelite pastor of her home parish.

Read More About Sister Rita’s Life

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Rita or another Joliet Franciscan Sister, please click here:  Remembering our Deceased Sisters.