Dominican Sister of Peace Marita Charley OP, 96, died at Mohun Health Care Center, Columbus, OH, on May 30, 2025.
She was born in 1928 in Wilmerding, PA, and in 1951 entered the congregation of St. Mary of the Springs, now the Dominican Sisters of Peace. She spent more than 70 years serving God’s people.
Sr. Marita was an educator loved by many and served in roles such as teacher, principal, development director, and administration.
She earned a BS in Elementary Education from the College of St. Mary of the Springs, now Ohio Dominican University and an MA from Fairfield University. She taught in schools in Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
In keeping with the Dominican pillar of study, the focus of her ministry was education. During her more than 20 years in teaching and development in Braddock, Pennsylvania schools, she became the first Sister to become a member of the Braddock Rotary Club. In 1976, she received the first Bicentennial Certificate of Appreciation from Mayor William Crabbe of Steubenville, where she taught at various parochial grade schools for 10 years.
Her final ministry, during the last ten years, was in prayer and presence at Mohun Health Care Center.
A Vigil of Remembrance Service was held on June 20 at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse Chapel and Sr. Marita’s funeral liturgy was held at the Chapel on June 21, 2025.
During her Remembrance Service, those present spoke of the impact she made in the schools. Sr. Eileen Csuk, OP, an educator who ministered with Sr. Marita, said, “Sr. Marita was wonderful with students, and very involved with all the school events … she did her part to help continue Catholic education in the Braddock area when she was there. She not only loved teaching, but she also loved the Pittsburgh Pirates, and she’s fondly remembered for her sense of fun and enthusiasm, too.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony Charley and Mary Budway Charley, her brothers, John and Thomas, and her sisters, Sally Prefling, Adele Olesky, Mary Charley, Mildred Charley, Marie Charley, Anne Rose Charley, Suzanne Charley and Frances Donatto.