NORTH PROVIDENCE — Sister Savina D’Agostino, (M. Secondinus), FMM died on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 at Elmhurst Rehab in Providence.
The eldest of six children, Sister Savina was born in Providenc, Aug. 29, 1913.
At age 17, she was already an accomplished seamstress and, after working in a department store, volunteered in the workroom of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary at Bell Street. Under the supervision of Sister Secondina, Sister Savina came to know the FMM as those who were simple, but deeply spiritual. She experienced the religious sisters in adoration in the chapel and realized she wanted to be an FMM.
She entered in March, 1931 at Fruit Hill in North Providence. Savina made her First Vows in September 1933 and her Final Vows in September 1936.
In the earliest years of her religious life, Sister Savina lived on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona where the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary had a mission. She came to love the Navajo people, teaching CCD to the children, visiting the hogans, doing some home care for the sick and cooking for her FMM community. This she did for 26 years. On their part, the Navajos deeply respected her and called her affectionately, “the little sister.”
In 1961, Sister Savina was called to a different mission in San Francisco where at St. Francis Residence she lent her skills as a seamstress, sacristan, portress, infirmarian and cook. In her spare time, Sister Savina volunteered at the handicraft room at a nearby hospital as well as visited the sick at a nearby home.
Always able to adjust to new situations, Sister Savina was then missioned to Hotel Alverne where the FMM worked with the elderly in St. Louis, Missouri, when she served as assistant to the Superior, Director of Housekeeping and sacristan from 1973 to 1976. She also worked with the group called The Ladies of St. Clare.
From 1976 until 2004, Sister Savina was missioned to North Providence to be assistant, sacristan, a volunteer at the Day Center for the Elderly and to work with the Legion of Mary. When becoming part of the Assisted Living at Fruit Hill, she did some chores in the community and visited a local parish. Until lately, Sister Savina continued to rise early and make adoration in the chapel as her first activity of the day.
She often said that as long as her health was pretty good, she would be happy to help others with whatever they needed. She was first to be present at community meetings and events, prayed for the needs of others, was clearminded and walked everywhere with her walker. When someone would speak to her about a humorous happening, her laugh was instant and hearty. Among other things, Sister Savina was admired for her consistent energy and even temperament.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Monday, Jan. 28, in Holy Family Chapel.
At the request of the family, those who wish may memorialize Sister Savina by a gift to the missionary work of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary via the chapel address, 399 Fruit Hill Ave., North Providence, R.I. 02911.
