Sister Rita Ann Naughton, IHM, (formerly known as Sister Mary Sarto) of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, PA.
Born on March 20, 1937, in Williamsport, PA, Sister Rita Ann was the daughter of the late Paul Ignatius and Ida M. Leonard Naughton. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1955, made temporary profession of her vows on March 13, 1958, and final profession of her vows on June 22, 1963. Sister Rita Ann received a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, and a Master of Science degree in religious education, both from Marywood College.
Sister Rita Ann served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School in Upper Marlboro, MD, from 1958 to 1964; St. Joseph Elementary School in Danville, PA, from 1964 to 1965; St. Leo Elementary School in Ashley, PA, from 1965 to 1967; St. Mary, Help of Christians Elementary School in Pittston, PA, from 1967 to 1968; St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1968 to 1969; St. Agnes Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1969 to 1971; St. Mary of the Mount Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1971 to 1975; St. Matthew Elementary School in Wilmington, DE, from 1975 to 1976; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Bellefonte, PA, from 1976 to 1981; St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, NY, from 1981 to 1982; Monsignor McHugh Elementary School in Cresco, PA, from 1984 to 1989; and Nativity of Our Lord Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1989 to 1990.
Sister served as director of religious education at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Pittston, PA, from 1982 to 1984; and at St. Boniface Parish in Williamsport, PA, from 1993 to 2001.
Sister Rita Ann also served in Williamsport, PA, as an activities assistant at Manor Care North in from 2001 to 2005, and as senior companion at Albright Community Service from 2005 to 2006. She was a foster care parent at Northwest Human Services in Sunbury, PA, from 2006 to 2007; a private caregiver at the Presbyterian Home in Williamsport from 2008 to 2009, and a companion at Sycamore Health Care Center in Williamsport from 2009 to 2016.
From 2016 until the time of her death, Sister Rita Ann was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
Sister Rita Ann had a great love for Gods creation in nature and animals. She especially treasured her beloved canine companion, Curly.
Sister Rita Ann is survived by a sister, Theresa Haas of Montoursville, PA; nieces and nephews; and by the members of the IHM Congregation.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Mon., August 4, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 1510 University Avenue in Dunmore, PA. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Monday, August 4, between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Naughton family plot at Resurrection Cemetery in Montoursville, PA.
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired Sisters of IHM c/o the Sisters of IHM Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
Crouse Funeral Home & Cremation Services has been entrusted with handling final arrangements. To share a memory or sign an online register book, please visit http://www.crousefuneralhome.com.
