NORTH SMITHFIELD — Franciscan Missionary of Mary Sister Theresa Mary Zavota, 94, a member of the Ein Karim Community, died March 20 at St. Antoine Residence.
Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Josephine (Piro) Zavota. She entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary at the Holy Family Novitiate, Fruit Hill, North Providence on June 14, 1940, and pronounced her vows on December 15, 1942.
Following novitiate, she ministered at St. Francis Hospital, Roslyn, N.Y., where she earned a license to become a practical nurse. She was later appointed the assistant of the community, a position that she held until 1971, and subsequently served in the same capacity at the Holy Family Convent, Fruit Hill, until 1975. She later served as coordinator of the sisters recuperating in the infirmary at Holy Family Convent, a position that she held until 1987.
In addition, Sister Zavota also served as a religious education teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes, Holy Ghost, St. John and St. Agnes parishes. She later was missioned to St. Francis Hospital, before returning to Fruit Hill.
Sister Zavota celebrated her 65th jubilee as a religious sister in 2005.
She is survived by a sister, Josephine Uva of Providence; a brother, Louis Zavota of Florida and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 25 in the Holy Family Chapel. Burial was in the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Cemetery, Fruit Hill.
