Sr. Ritaclare Cleary, OP, 91, a Dominican Sister of Springfield, died October 24, 2009. Sr. Ritaclare was born to William and Anna (Krones) Cleary in El Paso, IL. She joined the Springfield Dominicans in 1936. From 1938 on Sister spent decades ministering in the field of elementary education. Illinois schools included: St Edward and Our Lady of Grace, Chicago; St. Mary, East Moline; St Maurice, Morrisonville; St Charles Borromeo, Hampshire; St Thomas, Crystal Lake; St Vincent De Paul, Peoria; SS Peter and Paul, Cary; St Bernadette, Evergreen Park; and St Cabrini, Springfield. In CA, she taught at Sacred Heart, Brawley; Sacred Heart, San Diego; and Sacred Heart, Redlands. Sr. Ritaclare was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Mary and brothers, William and Thomas. She is survived by sisters, Rita, Clare and JoAnne; brother, John; nieces and nephews; friends and her Dominican Sisters. Visitation will be from 3:30 - 6:45 p.m. on October 27, 2009 at Sacred Heart Convent. Funeral Mass will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Peter Witchousky OP, presiding. Commendation will be at 10:15 a.m. on October 28, 2009 at Sacred Heart Convent. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
