Obituaries

Obituary: Sister Christina Florence Rau, C.I.J.

Sister Christina Florence Rau, C.I.J., a member of the Congregation of the Infant Jesus (Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor), Rockville Centre, L.I., who devoted her life to building up Catholic health care on Long Island, died May 9. She was 95.

Born in Craddock, Va., where her father was serving in the U.S. Navy, she entered the congregation in 1948.

She was a graduate of St. Joseph’s College; St. John’s University, where she was certified as a medical technologist (ASCP), and St. Louis University, Miss., where she obtained a master’s degree in hospital administration.

She served as her congregation’s assistant general superior, 1968-74, and on the boards and committees of Mercy Medical Center, Rockville Centre; Nursing Sisters Home Visiting Service and the NYS Association of Home Health Agencies.

She served in the laboratory at Mercy Medical Center, 1952-62; served as administrator for all of the clinical studies, 1964-68; and as assis- tant to the president, 1976 to 2004.

She also ministered at St. Francis Hospital and in the Congregation of the Infant Jesus and the Nursing Sisters Home Care Agency.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Joseph Villa on May 13.

Interment followed in Holy Rood Cemetery, Westbury, L.I.