Sister M. Josepha Haskins, RSM

Haskins, Sister M. Josepha, 77, a Sister of Mercy died on Wednesday, January 20, 2016.  She was the daughter of the late Arthur and Emma (Durkin) Haskins.  Sister was the sibling of sisters, Roberta Haskins and Emma Miller, and brothers, James and Arthur Haskins.

Sister Josepha matriculated at Salve Regina University receiving a B.S. in Biology and earned a M.S.in Biology at St. Rose College in Albany.  Sister taught in elementary and secondary schools in the Dioceses of Fall River and Providence over a span of 25 years.  She also volunteered each summer in the farming community of Hayesville, N.C. She assisted the Visiting Nurses with patient service and home repairs.

Sister Josepha spent her last years in active ministry in Appalachia as founder and pharmacy technician of a Free Clinic in Richlands, Virginia.  While there, she worked in the Head Start program. Sister Josepha was a National Science Foundation award recipient as well as a Board member of United Way, and co-founder of the Black Lung Association in Virginia.

Upon her return to Rhode Island Sister Josepha taught English as a second language, assisted at the New Dawn Center, and volunteered her services at Mt. St. Rita Health Centre.  Sister gave generously of herself, to enrich the lives of all who were recipients of her instruction and compassionate service.

Visitation will be held at Mount St. Rita Health Centre, Cumberland, RI on Monday, February 1, 2016 from 9:30 to 10:30 am with a Mercy Prayer Service at 10:15 am.  A Liturgy of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am in St. John Vianney Church, 3609 Diamond Hill Rd., Cumberland, RI.  Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Cumberland.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sister’s memory to the Sisters of Mercy,15 Highland View Road, Cumberland, RI 02864 or to Mount St. Rita Health Centre,15 Sumner Brown Road, Cumberland, RI 02864  

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