Obituary of Virginia D. Tortora

Sister Virginia D. Tortora Sr. Virginia Deodata Tortora, 87, of Mt. Pleasant, (Bullskin Township), Verna Montessori School, died on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at the Harmon House, Mount Pleasant, PA. She was born November11, 1923 in Naples, Italy, a daughter of the late Giuseppe and Virginia Guarino Tortora. She was a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception of Ivrea (SCIC) and was in her 66th year of religious life. Sister Virginia arrived in the United States on August 18, 1961 in North Tarrytown, NY, to open a parish mission with a small group of Sisters. She then was assigned to join the community in Derry, PA. Her final move was to Mount Pleasant, PA, where she served as a Montessori teacher from 1969 to 1999. She was also the founding principal of the Verna Montessori School and combined the teaching and leadership duties for about 20 years. She held the responsibility as a Delegate of the Mother General from 1976 to 1987. Due to poor health conditions and the inability to walk, Sr. Virginia resided at Mount Macrina Manor, Uniontown, PA, from November 17, 2005 till February 16, 2011. After a stroke, she was moved to the Harmon House in Mt. Pleasant, PA, where she was nurtured for the last five months of her life. In addition to the Sisters of Ivrea, Sister Virginia is also survived by two younger sisters, Pina and Anna , a brother in law, Lucio, all residing in Italy, and a number of nieces and nephews who are living in Italy and in the United States. Sister Virginia was preceded in death by four brothers, Carmine, Ciro, Benito and Luigi. Family and friends will be received on Wednesday from 1 to 4 PM and 6 to 9 PM at the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle St., Mount Pleasant. A blessing service will be held in the funeral home on Thursday at 9:30 AM followed by Sr. Virginia's Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, with Fr. Richard J. Kosisko as celebrant. Interment will be in the St. Pius X Parish Cemetery, Mount Pleasant. Memorials in Sister Virginia's name may be made to the Verna Montessori School.268 Prittstown Road, Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666 To offer an online condolence, please visit our website at www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com View Online Video Please Click Here