Sister Rita Marie Nigro, OSF, died Sept. 20, 2017, at St. Mary of the Angels Convent of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities in Williamsville. She was 90.

The former Rose Marie Nigro was born Nov. 23, 1926, in Buffalo, to Daniel and Anna (Valente) Nigro. She graduated from Nardin Academy in Buffalo and attended college at Mount St. Joseph Teachers' College, now Medaille College, also in Buffalo.

Sister Rita Marie entered religious life as a Franciscan Missionary Sister of the Divine Child for 56 years, but later became a Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities when these religious congregations merged. For 19 years, she served in parish schools. She taught at Immaculate Heart of Mary and Our Lady of Loretto in Buffalo, and was also principal of Our Lady of Miracles School in Brooklyn.

While she was a Franciscan Missionary Sister, Sister Rita Marie participated in parish censuses for Diocese of Buffalo parishes, as well as outside of the diocese.

In 1971, she began serving at Our Lady of Fatima Mission Center in Cattaraugus. For 30 years, she traveled on weekends to serve religious education students in small towns, often in makeshift locations such as rectories and even school buses, as needed.

Later in her ministry, Sister Rita Marie moved to St. Mary of the Angels Convent, where she served in the chapel and in prayer ministry.

She was the sister of the late Sebastian, Frank, Anthony, Joseph, Lucy Ellis and Sister Rose Marie (Rita) Nigro, FMDC. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was held in the chapel at St. Mary of the Angels Convent.