Sister Maria Antonieta Garcia-Nicoletti died on October 31, 2021 in Lima, Peru in the 62nd year of her religious life. Sister Antonieta, one of our beautiful Peruvian Sisters, was born on December 26, 1938. Sister parents Pedro Garcia Paniaqua and Antonieta Nicoletti were born in Peru. The family’s home parish was Church of the Immaculate Virgin in Miraflores, Lima, Peru.
Sister Antonieta attended Villa Maria Academy Elementary in Lima from 1944 – 1952 and continued her high school education at Villa Maria Academy from which she graduated in 1956. Later, while in Community, Sister earned degrees from Immaculata College and the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Del Peru.
Maria Antonieta entered the Congregation on February 11, 1960; she received her habit, and her religious name, which remained the same on August 16, 1960, and pronounced her First Vows on August 16, 1962.
Sister Antonieta’s full time teaching ministry began in the fall of 1962. The bulk of Sister’s service was spent in South America; however, Sister did teach children in the following parish schools in North America: St. David in Willow Grove for 2 years (1962-1964); Our Lady of Grace in Somerdale, NJ for 1 year (1973-1974); and Annunciation in Bellmawr, NJ for 1 year (1992-1993). Sister served in a variety of capacities in South America. Sister taught English to students in grades 9 through 12; taught Religion; served as a principal, served as English Coordinator, taught children in grades 1 – 12. After 59 years of full-time ministry, Sister Antonieta served the community at Immaculado Corazon in Lima for 10 years as a very efficient Office Assistant.
Sister Antonieta succumbed to the ravages of cancer and died on October 31, 2021. Sister died in the ICU of Clinica Delgado in Miraflores, Lima, Peru. On November 3, a viewing was held for Sister Antonieta in the EIC School Chapel. Sister’s brother and three nephews and their families viewed Sister followed by hundreds of others, families, friends, teachers, graduates, and workers came to pay their respects and share memories. Reverend Beto Mueller, SM, the pastor of Santa Maria Reina Parish, a friend of Sister Antonieta and a friend of the Congregation, celebrated Sister’s Funeral Mass. Sister Teresa Catherine Walsh and Sister Regina Matulka flew to Peru to represent our General Administration and our Sisters in North America.
On November 6, Father Raul Maravi, O.Carm. celebrated Mass before Sister Antonieta’s cremains were buried in our IHM Cemetery in La Planicie, Peru. May she rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355