Archdiocese of Newark death notices: December 2021
We remember and pray for our dearly departed clergy and men and women religious whose Mass of Christian Burials was held in November.
Sister Anita Charles Marcellis S.C.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 18, 2021, at Holy Family Cemetery Convent Station, N.J. for Sr. Anita Charles Marcellis S.C., 95, who died on Nov. 12, 2021.
Sister Anita was born in Madison, New Jersey, the daughter of Anthony and Mary (Friezo) Marcellis. She entered the Sisters of Charity on October 2, 1949, and was a member for 72 years.
Sister Anita graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, N.J. with a B.S. degree in Business Administration and from the Catholic University of America with an M.S.B. degree in Business. Sister Anita was an educator and business manager in New Jersey.
She served as a teacher at St. Rose of Lima School, Newark; St. Peter High School, New Brunswick; the College of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, as a teacher and business administrator from 1971 to 1980; as associate professor and chairperson of the business department; academic advisor for the Weekend College and assistant director of the Adult Undergraduate Program. She then served as manager of Health Care at the Generalate, Convent Station.
Ingenious and resourceful, in 1998, Sister Anita creatively designed “No Wrap Gift Wrap,” for which she was awarded a United States Patent (No. 5788067) which is still available today.
One of six children, “Sister,” as she was called, was all about family and relationships. She cared for ill siblings and other family members with gentleness and great kindness. She enjoyed eating ice cream, dinners at the local diner, and enjoying the company of friends. Always smiling and gracious, Sister Anita was ready with an “I love you” for all.
She is survived by the Sisters of Charity; her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and a host of extended family and close friends.
Sister Barbara Ginther, S.C.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 5, 2021, at Holy Family Cemetery Convent Station, N.J. for Sister Barbara Ginther, S.C., 89, who died on Nov. 2, 2021.
Sister Barbara was born in Philadelphia, Pa., the daughter of Paul J. and Florence (Haag) Ginther. She entered the Sisters of Charity on Oct. 1, 1950. She was a member for 71 years.
Sister Barbara graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, N.J. with a B.A. degree in Spanish and from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind. with a M.A. degree in Art. Sister Barbara was an educator who served in New Jersey, Florida, Washington, DC, Connecticut, and the Virgin Islands. She taught at Star of the Sea Academy, Long Branch; Academy of the Sacred Heart, Hoboken; Immaculate Conception High School, Montclair, and Sts. Peter & Paul High school, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. She also served in the ministry of Religious Education at Saint Cecilia, Kearny.
Sister Barbara was a retreat staff member at the Better World Retreat Movement, both in Washington, DC, and Rome, Italy. She continued her ministry in the area of spirituality as the Spiritual Life coordinator for the Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn. She was the associate vicar for Religious in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Fla., and served as the co-director at John Knox Village in Tampa as well as the Hospice of Florida, Suncoast.
She is survived by the Sisters of Charity and many nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grand-nephews, as well as a great-grandnephew and great-grandnieces. Barbara took delight in sharing her many gifts in the fields of both spirituality and art. Her ability to capture the essence and beauty of her subjects was phenomenal.
Sister Leo Veronica Cassotta, S.C.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 30, 2021, at Holy Family Cemetery Convent Station, N.J. for Sister Leo Veronica Cassotta, S.C., 92, who died on Nov. 19, 2021.
Sister Leo Veronica was born in Maywood, N.J., the daughter of Louis and Mary (Sanseviere) Cassotta. She entered the Sisters of Charity on April 2, 1949, and was a member for 72 years.
She graduated from the College of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station, N.J. with a B.S. degree in Education and from Jersey City State College, Jersey City, N.J. with a M.A. degree in Reading.
Sister Leo Veronica was an educator in New Jersey, Florida, and Connecticut. In New Jersey, she served as a teacher in St. Joseph School, Jersey City; St. James School, Newark; St. Columba School, Newark; Immaculate Conception School, Darlington; Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Washington Twp.; Our Lady of the Visitation School, Paramus; and St. Paul of the Cross School, Jersey City. She also taught at St. Francis School, Riviera Beach, Fla. and St. Rose of Lima School, Newtown, Conn. She volunteered at St. Joseph School, Jersey City. She resided at Caritas Community, the Villa at Florham Park, and St. Joseph Healthcare and Rehab Center.
Sister Leo loved children. She always focused on what was the best way to teach the children, what would make learning easier for them? This was evidenced in a manuscript that Sister Leo wrote, in 1971, entitled “A Study of Use of Library Books Versus Basal Readers.” She was always ready for any situation, along with a good laugh. Sister Leo was known to be an avid Yankees fan!
She is survived by the Sisters of Charity, her sister Marie Voos, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and many friends.
Featured image: A stained glass image of the Ascension of the Lord at Saint Gertrude Cemetery and Chapel Mausoleum of the Resurrection in Colonia, N.J. (Courtesy of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark)
