Sister Ruth Dolores, I.H.M., formerly Marcella Needham, died in Paoli Hospital Aug. 13 in the 63th year of her religious life. She was 81.
Born in Philadelphia, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1948 from Incarnation Parish in Philadelphia, and professed her first vows in 1951.
She received her bachelor’s degree from Immaculata University. She taught at elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Her last assignment was St. Rose of Lima where she served for 13 years in the parish and school.
In 2008 she retired to Camilla Hall where her ministry was the apostolate of prayer.
She was predeceased by her parents, Herbert and Jane Smith Needham; a brother, Joseph; and two sisters, Jane and Mary.
The funeral Mass was celebrated at Camilla Hall in Immaculata Aug. 19.
In addition to the members of her religious community she is survived by her siblings George, Catherine and Richard; a brother-in-law, Joe Clark, and a sister-in-law, Jean Needham.
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