Sr. Rita K. Johnson, SSND, Diocesan Director of Ministry to the Sick died on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at W.W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. 

Born in Roxbury, Massachusetts on May 10, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Rita K. (Craven) Johnson and John Johnson.

Sister Rita was born and raised in Roxbury, MA, and was taught by the School Sisters of Notre Dame at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School and Mission Church High School.

After professing religious vows as a School Sister of Notre Dame in 1963, Sr. Rita taught in Catholic schools in New York, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Sr. Rita began to serve in the Diocese of Norwich in 1976 ministering first, in the areas of social concerns and to the elderly.

In 1976 Sr. Rita came to the Diocese of Norwich serving as a chaplain at William W. Backus Hospital. She was a dedicated chaplain at the hospital for over 41 years and leaves behind countless friends that she considered part of her family.

Sr. Rita was a beloved sister to Barbara Finn, Maureen Sullivan, and the late Jack Johnson. She was a devoted aunt to her many nieces and nephews. And she was loved by her many cousins.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday July 27th. The final resting place is St. Joseph Cemetery, 815 Boswell Ave, Norwich.

Contributions in memory of Sr. Rita may be made to

School Sisters of Notre Dame, 6401 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21212

or

St. Patrick’s Elementary School, 211 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360.

The Woyasz & Son Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.