Obituary of Sr. Lorena Reilly, SC

Sister Lorena Reilly, formerly Sister Robert Marita, (89) a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth,

died on December 7, 2023, at St. Joseph's Health and Rehabilitation Center, Cedar Grove, NJ.

Sister Lorena was born in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of Robert and Lorena (Dunn)

Reilly. She entered the Sisters of Charity on August 20, 1958, and was a member for 65 years.

Sister Lorena graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth (University), Morristown, New

Jersey with a B.S. degree in Business Administration and from the University of Notre Dame,

South Bend, Indiana with an MBA degree in Business Administration. Sister Lorena served as an

educator and business administrator in New Jersey.

Sister Lorena's initial ministry was as a teacher at DePaul Catholic High School, Wayne, NJ. In

1964, Sister Lorena moved to Convent Station where she served for more than 55 years at both

the College of Saint Elizabeth and the Sisters of Charity corporate offices. She served as

Secretary to the President of the College of Saint Elizabeth and as College Treasurer. In 1991,

following her service to the College, Sister Lorena began her ministry in the Finance Office of

the Sisters of Charity. This ministry was known by several names during her service - General

Treasurer, Coordinator of Financial Services and finally Chief Financial Officer of the Sisters of

Charity.

A great believer in the Providence of God, Sister Lorena was gracious to all, meeting their needs

without a question. Always in good humor and known for her generosity, she was gentle in every

response, respectful of each persons' dignity and most conscious of the privacy of those in need

who came to her for assistance.

Sister Lorena was predeceased by her parents and her cousin Leo Keenan. She is survived by the

Sisters of Charity, and her cousins Joseph Keenan and Ann Farrell. Sister Lorena will be deeply

missed by her cousins' children who considered her a beloved aunt.

The wake for Sister Lorena Reilly will be held in Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, NJ from

9:30 to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 14 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00.

Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery, Convent Station immediately following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Sister Lorena Reilly to the Sisters of Charity

Development Fund, P O Box 476 Convent Station, NJ would be greatly appreciated.