Sister M. Teresita Valenti, 86, a member of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, Villa Rossello, Newfield, died May 11, at Cooper Medical Center, Camden, after a brief illness.
Born in Pittston, Pa., Sister Teresita was the daughter of the late Salvatore and Frances Termone Valenti. Having entered the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, in Newfield, on Dec. 3, 1955, she professed her Vows on August 15, 1958.
Dedicated to her religious vocation, Sister Teresita’s life was described as characterized by her spirit of persevering prayer, deep piety and a great love for her religious vocation. An advocate and devotee of St. Padre Pio, she attended weekly devotions in the saint’s honor. She fulfilled her desire to make St. Padre Pio known to others through distributing prayer cards and other religious items that pertained to the saint.
A teacher for many years, Sister Teresita taught in various schools in Milford and Springfield, Mass.; Berwick, Old Forge and Hazleton, Pa.; and Brigantine, Millville and Newfield. She spent her later years in residence at Villa Rossello.
In addition to being an educator, Sister Teresita was known as a good cook and baker and was happy to use this talent for the enjoyment of others. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting and doing various crafts. In the past few years, she took great pride in making canvas needlework crosses for distribution to children in first holy Communion classes in the area. As of this month, the final count was over 2,000 crosses. Being a generous person, she liked to give to others whatever items she crafted by hand. This, too, gave her great pleasure.
Sister Teresita was from a large and loving family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Ross, Joseph, Peter, and Dr. John Valenti and sisters, Regina Russo, Anna Barbera, Theresa Arnone and Connie Moriale.
She is survived by her religious community, the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, her twin sister, Rose Ishley, her sister Helen Hogue of Pittston and a number of nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, Villa Rossello, Newfield, on May 17, followed by burial at Pieta Cemetery on the grounds of Villa Rossello. Memorial contributions may be made to Daughters of Mercy, Villa Rossello, 1009 Main Road, Newfield, NJ 08344.