Sister Dorothy Gertrude Pendergast, Fcj

Portsmouth, RI ? Sr. Dorothy Pendergast, FCJ of St. Philomena Convent, Portsmouth died peacefully on Tuesday. Sister was born in Providence in 1919, the daughter of the late Michael and Gertrude Pendergast. She was pre-deceased by her sister Eileen Peterson and her brother Joseph Pendergast. Sister is mourned by her religious community, her three nieces, two nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and her many former students and friends. Sr. Dorothy was in the first graduating class to complete nine years of education at the then new Blessed Sacrament School in Providence. She entered the Sisters Faithful Companions of Jesus in 1938 and professed her final vows in England in 1946. Sister Teachers College, Providence, a M.A. at Boston College and Library Certification at University of Rhode Island. Sr. Dorothy devoted her life to the education of youth. She was an excellent teacher who taught and was also librarian at St. Patrick?s High School Providence, from 1949-1982 except for two years spent in Canada in community leadership. Sister was also librarian at Blessed Sacrament School, Providence, from 1984-2001. During those years she also volunteered in Blessed Sacrament Parish. Sister Dorothy joined the St. Philomena community in 2001 and volunteered in St. Philomena School until her failing heath no longer allowed this service. In 2001, Sr. Dorothy was honored as the National Catholic Education Association Distinguished Graduate from blessed Sacrament School, the school she had attended as a child, and where she ministered during part of her religious life. Sister was loved by people in all of the places where she ministered, and her ability to tell the stories of her life experiences delighted many people over the years. Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours at St. Philomena Convent on Cory?s Lane in Portsmouth on Friday evening from 5:30-8:30pm, with a Prayer Service at 7:30pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning, March 4, 2006, at 10:00am, in the St. Philomena School auditorium followed by interment in St. Columba?s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Blessed Sacrament School Library or the Capital Fund of St. Philomena School Cory?s Lane, Portsmouth, RI 02871.