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Mother Maria Rita Zucchetto, OSBM
Mother Maria Rita Zucchetto, OSBM, 84, a nun from Sacred Heart Contemplative Monastery of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great (OSBM), died Monday, December 30, 2024 at Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, NY.
Born in Canatti, Sicily, Italy, on July 1, 1940, Mother Maria emigrated to America in 1969. She founded the Italian American Catholic Action in Astoria, NY, before entering the contemplative life at Sacred Heart Monastery, in Astoria, on September 8, 1981. After a year in the contemplative monastery in Albano, Italy, she rejoined her relocated community in Middletown, NY, where she served as cook, seamstress and artist. She spent her final years at the Cabrini Nursing Home, where she continued her life of prayer as a contemplative nun.
Mother Maria is survived by two brothers, Dino and Vincent Zucchetto, one sister, Carmela Lana, and seven nieces and nephews.
Viewing and prayers for the dead were held on Tuesday, January 7 at the chapel of the Basilian Motherhouse, 710 Fox Chase Rd, where her contemplative community resides. The Requiem Liturgy was celebrated Wednesday, January 8, followed by a burial in the convent cemetery.