Age 83
Sister Lorita is remembered for her gifts of sensitive listening, friendship, and intuitive understanding of prayer and spirituality. The twinkle in her eyes bore witness to her centeredness in God and playful sense of humor.
She first encountered the Sisters of Mercy at St. Gabriel’s Parish and then at Mercy High School, both in San Francisco. She entered the community there in 1958 and professed her final vows eight years later. She earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies at Russell College and master degrees in English at San Francisco College for Women and in spirituality at the University of San Francisco.
Initially, an elementary school teacher in San Francisco for four years, she taught high school English and Religion at her alma mater Mercy High School in San Francisco for four years and at Marian High School in Imperial Beach, California, for six years.
While in Southern California, she began her involvement in direct spiritual and pastoral work that later became her primary ministry focus. She served as director of the House of Prayer in Chatsworth, California, for three years, as a parish religion coordinator for three years at St. Thomas School in Los Angeles, California, and as a pastoral associate at St. Stephens Parish in San Francisco, California for seven years.
For 24 years, Sister Lorita served as the program director at Mercy Center in Burlingame, California. She led the staff in developing and providing retreats and programs to meet spiritual needs on many levels. She also educated new directors, many of whom have brought their learnings to other spirituality centers. During this time, she also served eight years as co- director of Mercy associates. Seven years ago, she retired to Marian Oaks in Burlingame, California.