The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada announces the death of Sister Loretta Rice at Mount St. Joseph, Peterborough, on May 3, 2025.

Loretta was born in Douglas, Ontario. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Pembroke and, upon final profession, adopted the religious name of Sister Columba. She served her Congregation faithfully for over 66 years.

She is survived by her sister, Eulalia Ryan of San Diego, California and her sisters-in-law, Lauretta Rice of Douglas and Ruth Rice of Tucson, Arizona. Sister Loretta is predeceased by her parents, the late Raymond and Mabel (Duffy), her sisters, Rita Chatsick, Sister Mary Rice, Sister Teresa Rice and Elizabeth Mathieu and her brothers, Joseph, Michael, John Alban and Rev. Isaiah Rice. Her family was very dedicated to serving the Church. Evidence of the close relationships within their family, was the passing of Sister Teresa and Sister Loretta so close together, and in the Easter season, such a significant time in the Church.

After completing high school in Douglas, Sister Loretta continued her education and graduated from Teachers College. Her teaching career brought her to various schools in Prescott, Cobden, Pembroke, Deep River, Renfrew and Douglas in Ontario, as well as St. Joseph’s on Allumette Island, Quebec. In addition to her teaching career, Sister Loretta furthered her education and became a Director of Formation. She served as a Retreat Director as well as a Pastoral Care Worker. In the latter years of her working career, she worked for the Ottawa Board of Education providing a learning environment for those students who were unable to attend school but thrived with learning from home. This newly created Home Tutoring included teaching students who were recovering from illnesses or were otherwise unable to participate in a school environment. She was especially attentive to the religious needs of the residents at Supples Landing during her years there, and she was grateful for the wonderful care she received in the Peterborough Convent Health Care Unit.

There will be a funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Pembroke on Friday, May 9th at 10:00 a.m. Donations to our Peru Mission in memory of Sr. Loretta can be made through Canada Helps at www.csjcanada.org Interment at St. Columba’s Cemetery, Pembroke. Expressions of sympathy can be made at pembroke@csjcanada.org