Sister Jo Ann Schwarz, S.C., (Sister Miriam Loreto), died May 2, at Schervier Nursing Care Center, Riverdale. She was 76.

Born in Manhattan, she attended Our Lady of Good Counsel School and Cathedral H.S., Manhattan. She worked for two years at Blue Cross/Blue Shield as a statistician before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York in 1961. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the College of Mount St. Vincent, a master’s in elementary education and a master’s in theology, both from St. John’s University. She later earned NYS permanent certification in the elementary grades.

She taught third and sixth grades at St. Monica School, Jamaica, and then became principal. In 1973, she began a 38-year assignment at Our Lady of the Angelus parish, Rego Park, first as eighth grade teacher for seven years and then as parish coordinator for 31 years. She directed the religious education program, led the RCIA, oversaw sacramental preparation for children and organized assistance for the elderly.

In 2011, she moved to the Convent of Mary the Queen, and in 2015, she and a group of sisters formed a retirement community at Frances Schervier Nursing Center in the Bronx.

A Mass of Resurrection was celebrated May 7 at Mount Saint Vincent Convent Assembly Room. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery, Yonkers.