Sister Ruth Zacharias

April 28, 1929 - September 11, 2019

Sister Ruth was born Dorothy Zacharias in Tresckow, Pa., as one of 10 children. Her early school years were spent at Tresckow Public School, before attending West Hazleton High School in Hazleton, Pa., and then Mount Assisi Academy in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Dorothy entered our community from St. Michael Parish in Tresckow in 1953 and was received into novitiate at Mount Assisi Convent, where she professed first vows in 1954 and final vows in 1959. Sister Ruth attended Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University) in Pittsburgh and took classes at Holy Family in Philadelphia, Pa., where in 1974 she earned a bachelor’s degree in education.

Through 46 years in ministry, Sister taught at parish schools in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and taught religion and prepared children for the sacraments at parishes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. For the last 16 years, Sister Ruth was dedicated to prayer ministry while doing what she could in service to the community.

Sister Ruth recalled sleeping in army bunk beds and teaching 75 kindergartners during her earliest teaching days. A fan of bread and coffee, she was of slight build but had strong hands and a generous, gentle spirit. Sister loved to sew, volunteering her skills to the Little Dresses of Love project. She embraced the essence of her dignity in God’s eyes through her immaculate personal appearance, graceful manner, neat surroundings and an exactness in all she did.

Sister Ruth was faithful to her commitment to God and her religious family, while remaining close to her family that lovingly called her “Sister Sunshine,” for she always had a smile and, even in the midst of illness, was resilient.

Sister Ruth is buried at St. Francis Cemetery in Bethlehem, Pa.