Aston, PA—Sister Clare Marita Pearce, OSF, 88, died in Assisi House on July 22. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 66 years. Sister Clare Marita (Clare Elaine Pearce) was born in Philadelphia where she was a member of St. Columba Parish and a graduate of Hallahan High School. Prior to her entrance into the congregation, she worked as a file clerk at the civil service office of the U.S. Army, 3rd Service Command in Philadelphia. She entered the congregation in 1944 and professed her first vows in 1947. Sister Clare earned a B.S. in Education from Mt. St. Mary University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and an M.A. in Library Science from Villanova University. She ministered in education on elementary, secondary, and college levels as both teacher and librarian.

Sister Clare Marita’s 46 years of service in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia included working at St. Hubert’s High School (1965-1969, 1985-1998); Neumann University (1969-1972); Our Lady of Consolation School (1973-1975); Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern (1975-1981); Cardinal Dougherty High School (1981-1985). From 1998-2001 she volunteered at St. Maria Goretti High School in Philadelphia. In 2002 Sister Clare moved to Assisi House in Aston where she served in prayer ministry until her death.

Sister Clare Marita ministered in the Diocese of Wilmington for nine years. She worked at St. Joseph on the Brandywine School (1953-1958), St. Peter’s School in New Castle (1958-1959), and Padua Academy (1962-1965).

Sister Clare Marita also served in the Archdiocese of Baltimore for nine years, ministering at St. Elizabeth School (1948-1953), St. Joseph School in Fullerton (1959), and the Catholic High School of Baltimore (1959-1962, 1972-1973).

Additional ministry experience included teaching at St. John the Baptist School in Whitehall, Pennsylvania (1946-1947) and St. Mary School in York, Pennsylvania (1947-1948).

All services will be held in Our Lady of Angels Convent Chapel, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, on Tuesday, July 30. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12 noon. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Clare Marita is survived by her sister, Nancy Williams, nieces, nephews, and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.