Sister Rita Charles, formerly Barbara Ann Smith, died in Camilla Hall on Monday, January 17, 2022 in the 56th year of her religious life.
Barbara Ann Smith was born in York, PA on May 6, 1947. Her parents Charles and Mary Rita (Trulinos) raised their family of five in Immaculate Conception Parish in York, PA. Barbara attended St. Mary Elementary School followed by York Catholic High School from which she graduated in 1965. Later, while in Community, Sister earned degrees from Immaculata College and West Chester University.
Barbara entered the Congregation on September 8, 1965; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister M. Rita Charles, on June 27, 1966, and professed First Vows on June 28, 1968.
Sister Rita’s teaching ministry began in the fall of 1968. Primarily, Sister taught children in grades 1 and 2 through most of her ministry. Sister served in a variety of places: St. Peter in Elizabethtown, St. Gertrude in Conshohocken, St. Martin of Tours and Annunciation in Philadelphia, St. Jerome in Tamaqua, Holy Family in Harrisburg, Immaculate Heart in Girardville, and St. Pius X in Norfolk. In August 2002, Sister served a 6-year term as superior and 6th grade teacher at Immaculate Conception in Levittown; followed by another 6-year term and 4th grade teacher at St. James in Savannah, Georgia.
In the fall of 2014 through October 2021, Sister tutored children at Sacred Heart School in Havertown. Sister became ill in October and left Sacred Heart Convent to be cared for at our Infirmary at Camilla Hall. On January 17, Sister slipped into heaven after suffering the ravages of pancreatic cancer. May her sweet soul rest in peace.
In addition to her IHM Community, especially her loving Community at Sacred Heart Convent, her brother Charles (Emily), her sister-in-law Deborah, and her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews survive Sister.
Her parents Charles and Rita (Trulinos) Smith, her brothers Michael Charles and David Frank Smith, and her sisters Susanne Marie Smith and Mary Ann Smith Lutz (David) predecease Sister Rita Charles.
Reverend John Nordeman celebrated Sister’s Funeral Mass on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Henry McKee, Reverend John Burger, and Reverend Michael Callaghan concelebrated.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355