Sister Rita Ann Naughton, IHM (formerly known as Sister Mary Sarto), of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died on July 23 at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Born on March 20, 1937, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Sister Rita Ann was the daughter of the late Paul Ignatius and Ida M. Leonard Naughton. She entered the IHM Congregation on Sept. 8, 1955, made temporary profession of her vows on March 13, 1958, and final profession of her vows on June 22, 1963.
Sister Rita Ann received a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and a Master of Science degree in religious education, both from Marywood College.
Sister Rita Ann served as a teacher in the diocese at St. Ephrem Elementary School in Dyker Heights from 1981 to 1982.
Sister Rita Ann is survived by a sister, Theresa Haas of Montoursville, Pennsylvania; nieces and nephews; and by the members of the IHM Congregation.
The funeral was celebrated on Aug. 4, with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. Interment was at Resurrection Cemetery in Montoursville.
Sister Ann Elizabeth Gray, (known in religious life as Sister Ann Catherine of Our Lady, passed away peacefully on July 28 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Port Jefferson, New York. She was 90.
Sister Ann was born on July 25, 1935, in New York City to Philip and Kate (Keane) Gray. She devoted her life to education and advocated for justice in every form as a Daughter of Wisdom, entering religious life on July 31, 1953. She made her first profession on Feb. 2, 1955, and her final vows on Aug. 2, 1960. Sister celebrated her 70th jubilee on Feb. 2.
Sister Ann received her foundational education at Saint Margaret School in Middle Village and Our Lady of Wisdom Academy in Ozone Park before continuing her studies at St. John’s University, where she majored in secondary education English and obtained certifications in English and French.
In 1959, Sister Ann spent 3 years at Our Lady of Wisdom Academy teaching both English and French. From 1962 to 1976, Sister Ann was chair of the Foreign Language Department at Christ the King High School, Middle Village, where she produced and directed several student theater productions. Then, after two years as chair of the English Department at Bishop Ford Regional High School, Brooklyn, Sister Ann served on the faculty of St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows. Sister was an adjunct English professor from 1992 to 2002.
Sister Ann leaves behind a legacy of compassion, knowledge, and faith that inspired many. Arrangements were private.
Sister Catherine (Kate) Thornton, OP, passed away on Aug. 4. Sister Kate was 89 and was a Sister of St. Dominic of Amityville for 72 years.
She was born on Oct. 4, 1935, in Astoria. St. Joseph’s Parish was the center of the family’s Catholic life, where Kate received her sacraments and elementary education.
Kate graduated from St. Agnes Academic High School in College Point.
On Sept. 12, 1953, Kate entered the Novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Amityville, and on Aug. 4, 1954, she received the habit and her religious name, Sister Sean Catherine. She professed first vows on Aug. 9, 1955, and final vows on Aug. 8, 1958.
Kate received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John’s University and a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from St. Michael College in Vermont.
Sister Kate began her long ministry as an educator in the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1955 at Sacred Heart School in Glendale, and continued as a teacher in Good Shepherd School before returning to Sacred Heart in 1967. In 1972, upon completion of her degree in religious studies, Sister Kate became the director of religious education in Sacred Heart Parish from 1972 until 1981.
Sister Kate returned to her home parish of St. Joseph’s as religious education director from 1987 until 1991. Kate completed this DRE ministry from 1991 until 2004 in Blessed Sacrament Parish.
The funeral was celebrated in St. Albert Chapel on Aug. 8, with the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment followed in St. Dominic Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds.