Sister Rita considered it a privilege to have the opportunity to serve children and families in need…
Sr. Rita Meaney

Sister Rita Meaney (Sister Maureen Catherine) was born in Bronx, NY, on October 7, 1924, one of three daughters and three sons of Patrick and Katherine Keating Meaney. Rita attended Saint Augustine School, Bronx, and Cathedral High School before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1944. Sister Catherine received her BS in Business Administration from the College of Mount Saint Vincent and an MSW in Social Work from Fordham University. She later earned permanent NYS certification in Nursing Home Administration and Social Work.

Sister Rita began her ministry as an elementary teacher at Saint Joseph Academy and Saint John the Evangelist, both in Manhattan. In 1951 she began her life-long association with the field of child care when she went to Saint Agatha Home in Nanuet. Over her fifteen years there she filled many roles. In 1966 she was assigned to Saint Joseph Hall in Brooklyn. For the next thirty years, as Administrator, and through its transition to Saint Joseph Services for Children and Families, Sister Rita provided the leadership and programs needed as methods and philosophy of child care changed throughout the country. To this time of risk and radical change, she brought the same care, dedication and sense of service she brought to all her work. Sister Rita considered it a privilege to have the opportunity to serve children and families in need, and a source of pride to do it as a member of a Congregation committed to this service since its foundation. After leaving Saint Joseph Services, Sister Rita volunteered in the adoption department of the New York Foundling for several years.

Sister Rita dedicated sixty-three years of ministry to child care and child services and to families who loved and supported children in need. We rejoice with her now as she enters into the joy of her God and is greeted by those loving words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Be at peace, Sister Rita.

From left: Bishop Frances Mugavero of Brooklyn, Gov. Hugh Carey, Sr. Rita Meaney, Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden, and Carmine Magazine, Associate Dir. of St. Joseph Services for Children and Families.

  

Date of Death
October 20, 2017

Age
93

Wake
Mount Saint Vincent Convent Assembly Room
6301 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471
718.601.5370

Sunday, October 22, 2–6:30 pm
Prayer Vigil at 4:30 pm

Mass of Christian Burial
Chapel of the Immaculate Conception
Mount Saint Vincent
6301 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471
Monday, October 23, 11 am

Burial
Saint Raymond Cemetery
Bronx, NY

 

Missions

Archdiocese of New York

  • St. Joseph Academy, Manhattan
    1946–47, Teacher, Gr. 3
  • St. John the Evangelist, Manhattan
    1947–51, Teacher, Gr. 4
  • St. Agatha Home, Nanuet
    1951–62, Child Care Worker
    1964–66, Dir. of Group Living, Asst. Adm.
  • NY Foundling, Manhattan
    1996–2012, Vol./Adoption Dept.

Diocese of Brooklyn

  • St. Joseph Hall, Brooklyn
    1966–85, Administrator
  • St. Joseph Services for Children and Families
    1985–95, Executive Director