Submitted by: Dan Rich
Sister M. Clarita Stoffel CSC
South Bvend Tribune 8/7/2004
Sister M. Clarita (Margaret Mary Stoffel), CSC, 88, was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Charles M. Stoffel and Mary Ann Walsh Stoffel. She was preceded in death by her brother, Monsignor Jerome Charles Stoffel on May 13, 2001, in Salt Lake City. Sister is survived by her cousins, Catherine Stoffel of Columbus, Ohio, and Perry Walsh of Whittier, Calif.
Sister Clarita received her bachelor of arts degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Wasatch, Salt Lake City, and was employed as a teacher in the Utah public schools before she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. She received her master of arts degree from College of the Holy Names, Oakland, Calif.
Sister entered the Congregation in 1937 and made first profession in 1939. She was sent to teach in California at St. Agnes School, Los Angeles, Our Lady of Lourdes, Colusa, Saint Catherine's, Ventura, St. John's School, Fresno, Holy Rosary Academy, Woodland, and in Utah at St. Joseph's, Ogden. She next went to Utah were she spent 34 years teaching in the elementary schools, Cathedral School, Judge Memorial and Bishop Glass, all in Salt Lake City. Another turn in California at St. Charles School, San Francisco, and at St. Didacus School, San Diego.
Sister Clarita retired to Saint Catherine by the Sea, Ventura, Calif., in 1987, and did volunteer service to the community. She returned to Saint Mary's Convent on Feb. 21, 2001, and was active in the ministry of prayer until her death.
A wake service will be a 7 p.m. today, Aug. 7, in Church of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, in the Church of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Notre Dame, IN 46556. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.