Sister Corinne Ritchie, 78, much-loved principal of St. Margaret School
Sister Corrine led the school for two decades before stepping down in 2015. She could be tough, but she was devoted to the students.
Sister Corinne Ritchie, 78, formerly of Narberth, a much-loved teacher and principal in the Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia, died Wednesday, May 3, of cancer at McAuley Convent in Merion.
Sister Corinne was called Sister John Miriam before the Second Vatican Council, which allowed nuns to revert to their baptismal names.
Her most prominent role was as principal of St. Margaret School in Narberth, where she presided for 20 years until a cancer diagnosis in April 2015 forced her to step down.
While battling the disease, she continued to volunteer at St. Margaret "as mentor and the keeper of memories, histories and wisdom," the Sisters of Mercy, her religious order for the last 61 years, said in a remembrance.
Sister Corinne was held in high esteem for her no-nonsense administrative style, but also for her years of "remarkable selfless love for St. Margaret School," the school said in a tribute.
Reared in Northeast Philadelphia with two sisters and three brothers, Sister Corinne was educated at Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls. She earned a bachelor's degree from Villanova University and a master's degree from the University of Dayton, both in education.
Sister Corinne was known for her careful, kind mentoring of many young teachers and novice administrators.
While serving as principal of St. Raymond's Catholic School in Philadelphia from 1970 to 1977, Sister Corinne impressed student Donna Mitchell of Blue Bell. "She was tough as nails, but always had our best interests at heart. I found Sister Corrine to be so gentle and sweet, spunky and funny. Always full of fun – and that smile!" Mitchell wrote in an online tribute.
"She was a great teacher and remembered by her students," said her colleague Sister Mary Anne Basile. "One of her first-grade students from Our Lady of Lourdes School in Philadelphia came to the viewing. That was one of her first teaching assignments."
Sister Corinne cared deeply for the community at large, her religious order, her family, and the poor and disadvantaged, and will be remembered for her "tender, unassuming, gracious presence," the Sisters of Mercy said.
She is survived by a sister, Dolores Croce, and nieces and nephews.
Services were Monday, May 8, with burial Tuesday, May 9.
Contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, 515 Montgomery Ave., Merion Station, Pa. 19066.