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SPARKILL, N.Y. - Sister Marion Rita Kennelly, OP, of Dominican Convent, Sparkill, died Sept. 5.
Sr. Kenelly was born Oct. 26, 1928, in New York, daughter of Michael and Margaret Broderick Kennelly of Limerick, Ireland. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill Sept. 8, 1947 and became known as Sister Marion Rita, professing her first vows in 1949 and her final vows in 1954. She earned a BS in Elementary Education from St. John's University; a MS in Education from Manhattan College and an administration certification from Fordham University.
She was an elementary school teacher and administrator serving in the Archdiocese of New York and the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Wilmington. She taught at St. Teresa, Woodside, (1949 to 56); Sacred Heart, Suffern (1956 to 57); Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Richmond Hills, (1957 to 67); Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scarsdale (1967 to 70); St. Anthony, Yonkers (1970 to 71); Cardinal McCloskey, White Plains (1971 to 74); St. Catherine of Siena, New York (1974 to 81); St. Peter & Paul, Easton, Md. (1981 to 84); Sacred Heart; New York (1984 to 85) and St. Margaret of Crotona, Bronx (1985 to 87). From 1987 to 2010 she was a teacher and volunteer at Visitation School, Bronx. In 2011, she became a resident of Siena Hall at the Motherhouse in Sparkill.
Sister Marion Rita is survived by her nieces, Patricia Casbarro (James) and Eileen Smith (Walter); nephews, John Rooney of Pearl River and Michael Rooney (Evelyn); seven great nieces and nephews; her Dominican family; and many friends. She was predeceased by her parents; and sisters, Sr. Eileen Kennelly, OP. and Patricia Rooney.
Calling hours are Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 3:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Dominican Convent, 175 Route 340, Sparkill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Sparkill. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to: Dominican Sisters, at the above address, attention- Sister Mary Murray, President.
For more information, please visit: www.mjhigginsnewcity.com
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