Born on Aug. 6, 1915, in Wilkes Barre, daughter of the late Thomas and Margaret Gilroy Gill, she entered the I.H.M. Congregation Sept. 8, 1936, made her temporary profession of vows May 8, 1939, and her final profession of vows Aug. 2, 1942.
Sister Marita was a teacher. For most of her life, she taught Latin and served as a guidance counselor in high schools in the Scranton area. She served at Nativity of Our Lord Elementary School from 1939 to 1943; St. Paul High School from 1943 to 1954; Kingston Catholic High School, Kingston, from 1954 to 1961; St. Rosalia High School, Pittsburgh, from 1967 to 1971; Bishop Hannan High School from 1971 to 1976; Bishop O’Hara High School, Dunmore, from 1976 to 1978; and Seton Catholic High School, Pittston, from 1978 to 1992. From 1992 to 1996, she was a prayer minister at St. Rocco’s Convent, Pittston.
She served as principal at St. Patrick’s High School from 1961 to 1967. While principal, she also taught Latin and French. From 1997 until the time of her death, she served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and Our Lady of Peace Residence.
She received a Bachelor of Arts in Latin and French from Marywood College and a Master of Arts in Latin from Catholic University.
She is survived by nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by four brothers, Dr. John, Francis, Thomas and the Rev. Nicholas, C.P.; four aunts, Mother Marcella, I.H.M.; Sister Ricarda, I.H.M.; Sister Madalena Gilroy, I.H.M.; and Sister Thelbert(*) Gilroy, I.H.M.; and an uncle, the Rev. Leo Gilroy.
The funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m., with Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Ave. Interment, St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call Monday, 3 to 6 p.m., at Our Lady of Peace Residence. A prayer service will be held at 4:30. Memorials may go to support the retired I.H.M. Sisters, c/o the I.H.M. Sisters Retirement Fund, I.H.M. Center, 2300 Adams Ave., 18509.
(*) Should be Ethelbert
The Times Tribune (Scranton, PA) - April 5, 2008