Sister Rita Michael Aguillard

Born: Maorra Aguillard on May 15, 1915 in Eunice, LA. Died: April 20, 2014 in the Healthcare Center of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY. Daughter of Dorestan and Louise Alta Lee Aguillard of Oberlin, LA. She was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on August 15, 1950 and professed her final religious vows on August 16, 1957. As a child in Oberlin, LA, Sr. Rita Michael attended Oberlin Elementary from 1920-28 and graduated from Oberlin High School in 1932. Following graduation, she attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette, LA until 1934. While still living at home, she taught in the local school for a number of years. With the advent of WW II, Sr. Rita entered the U.S. Army in August 1942 where she served with merit and was honorably discharged in October 1945. After returning home and in the years that followed, Sr. Rita Michael became acquainted with the good works of the Franciscan Sisters. This awareness of their care and benevolence urged her to enter religious life and she joined the order in 1949. Following routine years in formation, she pursued college courses in Education at the St. Elizabeth Teachers College (now known as St. Bonaventure University) in Allegany, NY, earning a B.S. degree in Education in 1955. Following early teaching assignments in both New York and Brazil, where she also served as principal for 5 years, her studies continued with graduate courses in Religious Education at Barry College in Miami Shores, FL. During assignments in south Florida, she taught in Homestead and Fort Myers, where she also led a religious education program for migrant workers. Following this, Sister returned to Brazil, serving in pastoral ministry working with the poor and marginalized in An�polis and Dio.de Miracema do Tocantins. Returning to the U.S. in 1998, she continued a ministry of volunteering while residing at St. Mary's Convent in West Palm Beach, FL. Sr. Rita Michael fully retired from active service in 2002 and in 2003 was welcomed home to the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, NY. Sr. Rita Michael is predeceased by her parents and brother, Sullivan. She is survived by her beloved nieces, Bernadette Mougeot and Evelyn Colligan, both of Louisiana. A Wake Service is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, 2014 in the Chapel at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 24, 2014, also in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, followed by burial in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, New York. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, New York.