Sister Marita Dargis, a Sister of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 77 years died at the age of 97 on November 5, 2022. Born January 25, 1925, in Shenandoah PA, she was preceded in death by her parents Stella and Anthony, and her siblings, Sister Mary Delphine, Blanche (Charles) Weis, Anthony (Philomena), Peter(Denise) and Stanley (Josephine Tichy). Sister Marita is survived by her Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God, nieces, nephews, and cousins, her good friend Virginia Stanziola¬ and her many other friends and correspondents.
During World War II, Sister Marita worked as a riveter in a factory before entering the congregation in 1944, several years after her older sister, Sister Delphine Dargis. Sister Marita earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Mt. Mercy College (now Carlow University) and a Master’s degree in Education at Duquesne University.
Sister Marita was an educator and principal for over 50 years. She served as principal while teaching 7-8 grade in DuBois PA from 1962-1968. A decade later, she served as principal at Holy Trinity School, Moon Run PA for five years while teaching all the 7-8 grade science classes. Gifted with artistic creativity and a love of science, she contributed student projects to the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science for several years. Science students benefitted greatly from her knowledge gained from National Science Foundation Grants over six summers. Sister Marita spent six years teaching junior high students at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin before serving as principal there for the next seven years. She loved sharing her knowledge with all her students.
After retirement from education ministry, Sister Marita served as a pastoral assistant at Sts. Peter & Paul in Elizabeth, NJ until 2013. Throughout the last decade, she engaged in the ministry of prayer and presence while continuing artistic pursuits and spiritual studies.
Read Sister Marita’s Wake Reflection
Family and friends will be received at John F. Slater Funeral Home, 4201 Brownsville Rd, Pittsburgh PA 15227 on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, 5:00 – 7:00 PM, with prayer service at 6:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial is Thursday, November 10, 2022, at 10:00 AM at St. Germaine Church, 7003 Baptist Rd. Bethel Park, PA 15102.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God, 5802 Curry Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, or by CLICKING HERE