Obituary of Assumpta Ferrara

Sister M. Assumpta Ferrara, a member of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, Villa Rossello, Newfield, NJ went to her eternal rest on Sunday, July 31, at Misericordia Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, York, PA where she had been a resident for just a few days. Sister Assumpta, born in Saskatchewan, Canada, was the daughter of the late Agostino (James) and Theresa (Giudici) Ferrara. Soon after Sr. Assumpta was born, the family settled in Springfield, Massachusetts. Sister Assumpta entered the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, in York, PA on December 31, 1934 and professed her Vows on August 16, 1936. Totally dedicated to her religious vocation, Sister Assumpta was known for her outstanding zeal in ministry, her compassionate and far-reaching love for others and her fervent spirit of prayer. She had a genuine love for her religious congregation and for her family of birth. Having obtained her Bachelor's degree in education from College Misericordia, Dallas, PA, and an MA in school administration from Seton Hall University, West Orange, NJ, Sister Assumpta ministered for many years as a dedicated teacher and principal in schools staffed by the religious order: Most Precious Blood and Mt. Carmel Schools in Hazleton, St. Mary's, Old Forge, St. Joan of Arc, Hershey, and St. Ann's, Steelton, PA as well as at Sacred Heart School, Milford, Massachusetts, and at St. Mary Magdalen's, Millville, St. Rose of Lima, Newfield, and St. Joseph's Swedesboro, New Jersey. She also studied nursing at St. Joseph Hospital in Lancaster in order to serve as an LPN and later as administrator at Misericordia Nursing Center, York, PA. In addition to the above, Sr. Assumpta did parish mission work in Monesson, PA for a brief time. For a number of years she ministered at Holy Child Nursery, York, PA. A missionary at heart, Sister Assumpta had a special love and interest in the religious order's mission in Gonaives, Haiti. She involved her family, especially her nephew Jim Boldebook in a zealous and ongoing effort to raise money to support and maintain this mission. She also personally served at the mission several times for a few months at a time in order to help the very poor, especially the children. To sum it up, Sister Assumpta was an incredible servant of the Lord and friend of the poor. At the end of her years in active ministry, she continued her support of the mission in Haiti as well as the Order's mission in Mandeville, Jamaica from the Order's provincial House, Newfield, NJ until her retirement in 2009 at Mercy Residence, York, PA. In addition to her parents, Sister Assumpta was preceded in death by her brother Edward. She is survived by her religious community, the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, three sisters, Louise Boldebook, Josephine Loguidice and Frances Lavertue, a sister-in-law Shirley Ferrara, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews all of Massachusetts. A viewing will take place at Misericordia Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Chapel, York, PA on Wednesday, August 3 at 6 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be take place at Villa Rossello Chapel, Newfield, NJ on Friday, August 5 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Joseph Capella as the main celebrant. Burial will follow at Pieta Cemetery on the grounds of Villa Rossello. Friends may call on Thursday evening from 7 to 8 PM and on Friday morning from 9:30 until before Mass. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Daughters of Mercy, Villa Rossello, 1009 Main Road, Newfield, NJ 08344. Arrangements are under the direction of Wiedeman Funeral Home, Inc., Steelton, PA, and Rone Funeral Service, Vineland, NJ. To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com