A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Oct. 20 in St. Lucy Chapel in Villa Walsh, Morristown, for Filippini Sister Raphael Santitoro who died Oct. 12. She was 96.
Born in Trenton in 1930, St. Raphael attended St. Joachim School, Trenton. She entered the Religious Teachers Filippini in 1944; received the habit in 1946, and professed her Perpetual Oblation in 1949. She earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from the College of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station.
In her 80 years of religious life, Sister Raphael served as a primary grade teacher for 57 years, 37 of which were in first grade and also as a classroom aide, in the afterschool program and school cafeteria. Sister Raphael’s ministry was carried out in the (Arch) Dioceses of Camden, Hartford, Metuchen, Newark, Paterson, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Province and in Trenton where she served for 30 years. Her last active assignment was in Villa Victoria Academy, West Trenton, serving as a classroom aide and school volunteer from 2004-2024.
Sister Raphael was predeceased by her parents, Raffaele and Mariantonia (Zuno); her five siblings including Father Frank Santitoro, a priest of the Trenton Diocese, as well as a niece and nephew. She is survived by two sisters, Frances Rocco and Lucy Pavlov; a brother-in-law; four nephews and three nieces.
Interment will be in the Ave Maria Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Religious Teachers Filippini, c/o, Sister Marianne McCann, MPF, Provincial Superior, 455 Western Ave., Morristown, N.J. 07960.