Mercy Sister Rita Corkery, 86, died at Mercy Circle April 10.

Born in the Pullman area of Chicago, she was taught by Sisters of Mercy at Holy Rosary School and Mercy High School. After high school, she entered the community in 1949. 

She began her career in teaching at St. Mary of the Lake School in 1952 and continued in the ministry of education for almost 40 years. She held a variety of teaching and administrative positions from primary grades through college level.  

Following her retirement from education, Sister Rita changed careers, working as a part-time hospital chaplain at St. Francis Hospital, Blue Island, while she cared for her mother. After her mother’s death, Sister Rita continued her work in chaplaincy, taking on a position at Little Company of Mary Hospital, Evergreen Park, for 10 years.

In 2006, Sister Rita retired once again due to declining health. In 2011, she began living at Smith Village, a residential care facility in Chicago where she could receive more assistance, and she came to be known there as a volunteer chaplain and friend. She moved to Mercy Circle in 2017.