Sister Roberta Ristuccia, CSJ

(Sister John Clare)

We Remember her in the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer.

December 18, 1939 – September 1, 2025

In the 80ᵗʰ year of her Religious Life.

Entered: September 10, 1967

“We see relationship at the heart of mission, and thus we seek to become ever more united in the mind and heart of Christ Jesus.”

The words of our CSJ Constitution were ever in Sister Roberta Ristuccia’s heart and mind. She developed strong relationships and kept them, as she deepened her own relationship with her God, whom she loved so very much.

Roberta Marie Ristuccia was born into a loving Italian family on December 18, 1939, the third child of John and Clara Ristuccia. She was close to her siblings growing up, John and Claire, and then David who was born 5 years later. She and Claire had so much in common, and they remained very close after Claire married and Roberta entered. She also cherished her time with her brothers. When Fontbonne Academy opened right around the corner from her house, Roberta went there to high school. She was a proud member of the first graduating class, and continued through the years to keep strong connections with many of her classmates.

After graduation, Roberta entered the Sisters of St. Joseph and received the religious name, Sister John Clare. Following brief teaching experiences in Allston and Dorchester, Sister Roberta received her certification in Montessori education and for the next 18 years, she worked as a Montessori Teacher and Principal at Walnut Park School in Newton and briefly in Framingham. Sister Roberta also served as a Campus Minister at Regis College. During many of these years, Roberta was also the Vocation Director for the Congregation. After two years working as the First Mission Effectiveness Coordinator at Bethany Hill School, she returned to education as Principal of St. Agatha School in Milton. Upon completion of this ministry, Roberta worked as a secretary at Laboure College in Dorchester.

Though Sister Roberta was involved in a great variety of ministries in her sixty-seven years as a sister, she shared the same skills wherever she went. Her commitment to education for three-year-olds through students returning in later years to obtain a nursing accreditation was so strong. She brought creativity and joy-filled energy to all her ministries. She loved each ministry and those with whom she worked. They, in turn, loved and respected her. She was a true professional who combined compassion and generosity in her everyday interactions.

Her belief in the fact that “I am special” enabled Sister Roberta to invite little children to become new learners, to challenge young women to consider a vocation in religious life, to motivate those who were homeless to strive to better their conditions, to encourage women to consider a career in health care in order to help others who are less fortunate, and to motivate all those with whom she interacted to strive to be the best that they could be.

Roberta had a great sense of humor that permeated all that she did. That combined with her courage and strong determination enabled her to deal with the many health issues that she faced throughout her lifetime. Her faith and trust in her God were critical as she moved forward each day. Whether she was cooking for herself or others, visiting with family or friends, going out to lunch, or enjoying the Casino, Roberta brought great laughter and joy. In recent days, she had the opportunity to bring a bit of her wonderful love for music to Bethany, joining Sister Peggy Rooney in playing the piano for the residents.

Roberta loved her family, especially her faithful nieces. How she enjoyed spending holidays and special occasions with her family and her dear friend Catherine Ginty who was always a part of these special days! Her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and finally Sam brought such joy to her whenever she spent time with them. And she certainly filled their lives. She loved to gather with the family in Milton, the family homestead. It was like going home. Trips to Cape Cod, California, or wherever family gathered were so meaningful. In more recent years, she maintained her relationship with her brother, David. Telephone calls and visits to Palm Springs were so very important to her.

People were a vital part of Roberta’s life. As we reflect on the gift that Roberta was to her Congregation, to her family, to her friends, to those with whom she interacted in ministry and in everyday life, we know that she made the words from our Constitution come alive. “We strive in every aspect of our lives to be for others a visible sign of God’s presence and active love.” Thank you, Roberta, for bringing that active presence of God into each of our lives.

Mary Ellen O’Connell, CSJ
September 1, 2025