Funeral Mass for Sister Mary Rita Bergin, OP (Order of Preachers), 91, who died Tuesday, July 7 at the Mohun Health Care Center, was celebrated Tuesday, July 21 at the Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, followed by burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, Columbus.
She was born on Feb. 17, 1935 in Washington to John and Mary Rita (Keegan) Begin.
She received a bachelor of science degree in education from the College of St. Rose in Albany, New York, and studied for a master of science degree in education from Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee and a master of arts degree in religious education from La Salle College in Philadelphia.
She entered the congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de’ Ricci (now the Dominican Sisters of Peace) in 1954 and pronounced her vows in 1957, taking the name Sister Mary John Vercelli.
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She was president of the de’ Ricci congregation from 1978-86 and served in a variety of administrative roles. She also was a teacher in New York, Florida and Pennsylvania, a staff member of retreat houses in Pennsylvania and New York, and a member of the diocesan tribunal in Orlando, Florida.
She came to Columbus in 2015 and was part of a ministry of prayer and presence until her death. She had been a resident of the Mohun center since 2019.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Thomas. She is survived by two sisters, Mildred Pappa and Peg Elser.