Sister Thaddeus Marie died in Paoli Hospital, in the 71st year of her religious life.
Elizabeth Marie Del Ricci was born on September 1, 1930. Her parents Samuel and Catherine (DiNofa) Del Ricci were born and raised in Italy. When they came to the United States, they settled in St. Joan of Arc Parish in Philadelphia where they raised their family of six boys and one girl.
Elizabeth attended St. Joan of Arc Elementary School (1938-1946) and Little Flower Catholic Girls’ High (1946-1950). Later, while in Community, Sister earned her degree in Elementary Education from Immaculata College.
Elizabeth entered the Community on September 8, 1951; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Thaddeus Marie, on March 10, 1952; and pronounced First Vows on March 11, 1954.
In the fall of 1954 through the school year ending in 2002, Sister Thaddeus joyfully served in her ministerial role as teacher. Sister loved the children, and it was certainly manifested in the way she taught. Sister taught full time in a variety of parishes and in a variety of grades. In the Philadelphia area, Sister served children and families in St. Monica, Most Blessed Sacrament, St. Martin of Tours, St. Anselm, and St. Joan of Arc. In areas outside of Philadelphia, Sister worked with children in Our Lady of Fatima Secane, Our Lady of Grace Penndel, St. Joseph Collingdale, St. Peter Elizabethtown, and St. Michael Annandale.
In the fall of 2002, Sister Thaddeus worked as a tutor to the children in St. Katharine Day School for four years. Following this valuable service, Sister Thaddeus served children of all levels in the Resource Room at St. Matthew School until the school year ending 2015.
In August 2015, Sister Thaddeus continued her loving service as a member of the Apostolate of Prayer Community at Camilla Hall. Sister served the Sisters prayerfully and kindly until her health and energy waned. Sister Thaddeus returned to God on February 3, 2023.
In addition to her IHM Community, her Local Community at Camilla Hall, and her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews survive Sister Thaddeus Marie.
Sister Thaddeus’s parents Samuel and Catherine (DiNofa) Del Ricci predecease Sister; so, too, do her brothers Joseph, Thomas (Jenny), John (Rita), Lawrence (Pat), Anthony (Anna), and Frank.
Reverend James McCabe (Homilist), joined by Reverend William Kaufman, Reverend John Burger, S.S.C., and Reverend Michael Callaghan, C.M. concelebrated Sister Thaddeus Marie’s Funeral Mass on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355