Sister Martha Maria Chuta-Yamamota died on May 28, 2023, in Camilla Hall. Sister Martha was in the 59th year of her religious life.
Martha Chuta-Yamamoto was born on October 19, 1934, in Riberalta, Bolivia. Sister’s parents Toyohiro Zoilo Chuta and Modesta (Yamamota) Chuta raised their family of three boys and four girls in Riberalta, Bolivia. Martha attended Juana Azurdy Padilla School in Riberalta, Bolivia (1941-1946) and English Catholic College in LaPaz, Bolivia (1947-1952).
After attending University, Martha taught grade school children with the Maryknoll Sisters and later taught high school students with the Maryknoll Sisters. Following in her beloved Sister Osue’s footsteps, who entered the Community in 1959, Martha entered our IHM Community in Las Condes, Santiago, Chile on March 25, 1964; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Marta Maria on March 19, 1965, and pronounced her First Vows on February 11, 1967.
Sister Martha’s apostolic ministry was primarily centered on serving God’s people in South America. Sister served wholeheartedly in both Chile and Peru. Sister Martha instructed younger children as well as high school students.
At one point in Sister Martha’s ministry of service, (August 2005 – December 2006), Sister was a valued member of the staff at Camilla Hall giving her all to the well being of our Sisters in Camilla. Next, Sister Martha returned to her dedicated ministry in Montenegro, Peru, (February 2006 – April 2017).
In the spring of 2017, gentle and gifted Sister Martha, became a part of the Apostolic Prayer and Assistance Team at Camilla Hall. Sister served with care and prayer all whom she met.
In addition to her IHM Community and her Camilla Community in particular, Sister is survived by her sisters Sister M. Osue Teresa Chuta, IHM, Lourdes Chuta, her sisters-in-law Luisa and Ana and her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Sister is predeceased by her parents Toyohiro Zoilo Chuta and Modesta (Yamamota) Chuta, her sister Zoila Chuta and her brothers Zoilo Chuta, Ricardo Chuta (Ma Teresa) and Jaime Chuta.
Reverend Msgr. Hugh Joseph Shields celebrated Sister Martha’s Funeral Mass and delivered the homily on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Michael Callaghan, CM served at the altar with Father Shields.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355