Dominican Sister of Peace Sister M. Bernardita Abeyta, OP died at Mohun Health Care Center, Columbus, OH, on June 21, 2025.
She was born in 1934 in Barranco, New Mexico and in 1954 entered the congregation of St. Mary of the Springs, now the Dominican Sisters of Peace. She made her perpetual profession in 1957 and served God’s People for more than 70 years.
She served in ministries from food service to housekeeping, until 1972 when Sr. Bernardita earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from Southern Connecticut State College.
After obtaining her degree, she taught in New Mexico and Puerto Rico schools. From 2002 until 2010, she ministered as Director of Religious Education in New Mexico. Sr. Bernardita’s final ministry was in prayer, service, and presence in Columbus, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her parents Jose and Bernardita Garcia de Abeyta, her sisters, Onofre Salazar, Adelicia Lopez, Cleo Calistro, Margaret Serna, Maximiama Abeyta, and her brothers, Carlos, Manuel and Baltazar. She is survived by her sister Josephine Trujillo and nieces and nephews.
A Vigil of Remembrance Service was held Monday, June 30 at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse Chapel and her funeral liturgy was held at the Chapel on July 1.
Sr. Annette Lucero offered a relection at the funeral Mass saying, “… from food service to teaching, to pastoral ministry, she was on a pilgrimage of faith that wasn’t always easy when you consider the differences in languages and cultures…but Sr. Bernardita trusted in her faith and in God who loved her unconditionally.”
Sr. Bernardita’s liturgy was followed by the burial at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorial gifts in Sr. Bernardita’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Drive, Columbus, OH 43219, or submitted securely at oppeace.org.