Sister Rita Clare Gerardot

Sister Rita Clare Gerardot died on June 20, 2022, in Mother Theodore Hall, St. Mary-of-the-Woods. She was born on Sept. 19, 1926 in New Haven, IN to Henry and Lillian Ternet Gerardot and was baptized Rita Marie.
Sister Rita Clare entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on July 21, 1944 and professed Final Vows on Jan. 23, 1952. She earned a bachelor's degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master's degree from Indiana State University. In her 78 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education for 35 years in schools in Indiana and Illinois. For 14 of these years, she served as principal. In 1981, she moved to parish work, ministering at the Cathedral parish in Indianapolis, with emphasis on care of the elderly and poor. In 1992, she came to the motherhouse to serve the needs of her sisters in health care. Three years later, she became director of the wellness center at the motherhouse, giving 12 years to instructing and encouraging sisters in the use of fitness equipment. In 2021, she dedicated herself totally to the ministry of prayer.
Sister Rita Clare had both excellent administrative skills and a gracious and gentle manner. She was soft spoken and welcoming, yet firm and resolute when occasions warranted it. Always active in justice issues, for many years she was a faithful visitor to men on death row at the Federal Penitentiary and well as a member of the local Pax Christi group. She frequently attended the annual protests at the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, GA. In her 70s, she was arrested and briefly incarcerated, serving out her sentence on probation at the motherhouse.
Sister is survived by many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by six sisters, Mary Ottenweller, Juanita Anderson, Monica Gerardot, Dolores Lomont, Jackie Roehling, and Eileen Renier; and three brothers, Bud, Manfred and George Gerardot.
The wake is on Thursday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m. in the Church of the Immaculate Conception followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Terry Johnson presiding. Burial is in the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence. DeBaun Funeral Homes and Crematory assisted with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876.

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