A funeral Mass for Sister Maria Goretti McClary was celebrated June 1 at Divine Providence Chapel at Providence Heights in Pittsburgh.
Sister Maria Goretti, 76, died May 28 after a long illness.
Born in St. Louis and baptized Elizabeth Margaret, she entered the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1956 and professed first vows in 1959. Her first ministries in the community included cooking and housekeeping at Mt. Providence and local missions in the Missouri and Illinois areas. Before making final vows, she left the community and continued to discern her calling. In 1980, Sister Maria Goretti re-entered the congregation.
She earned an associate’s degree in early childhood education at St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley in 1984 and then served as a teacher and caregiver to young children. In 2004, Sister Maria Goretti moved to the Villa, an assisted care facility, in Alton, Ill. In 2007, she moved to Pittsburgh so she could receive the care she needed.
