OBITUARY

Sister Michaela DeLoia

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CUMBERLAND — Sister Michaela DeLoia, 96, died on March 17, 2019 at Mt. St. Rita Health Centre. She was the daughter of the late Michael and Ernestina (Ricci) De Loia. She leaves behind her nephew, David De Loia and his wife Nancy. A Sister of Mercy for almost 76 years, she lived her life in service to others. Her religious motto, “All my heart subjects itself to Thee” says much about her attitude to service and mission in Mercy.

After serving as a teacher in various schools in the Diocese of Providence for ten years, she volunteered to serve in the missions of Belize for five years and for 41 years in Honduras. In whatever capacity she ministered, founder and principal of high schools, administrator, social worker, counselor of persons on death row, visiting villagers on the mountains, she brought mercy and compassion to all. She is the only non-Honduran woman to be named “Woman of the Year” in that country.

Not one to relish such an honor, she credited the people of Honduras with giving her a profound love for and solidarity with the poor and marginalized.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, March 22, in St. John Vianney Church, Cumberland. Interment was at Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister Michaela’s memory sent to Casa Corazón de la Misericordia, c/o Sister Eva Lallo, 243 Crescent View Ave., Apt. D119, Riverside, RI 02915 or to the Sisters of Mercy, 15 Highland View Road, Cumberland, RI 02864 will be appreciated.