Sr. Tarcisia Navickaite

1912 – 2013 

Putnam – Sister Tarcizija-Elena Navickaite, 101, of Thurber Rd, died Monday, August 26, 2013 in Matulaitis Nursing Home.  She was born in Šašaičių village in Lithuania. She attended area village schools and being drawn to religious life, entered the Sisters of Immaculate Conception of the Poor in Marijampole in 1932, far from her village home. Seeing her dedication and resolve, having made only temporary religious vows, together with four other sisters, in 1936 August 28th, she was chosen to embark on a mission to the United States.

For the next 5 years she worked in Marijanapolis, the Marian Fathers College in Thompson, CT. Later she was transferred to the Marian Fathers House of Studies in Hindsdale, Illinois where she made her final profession in 1941 in the Marian’s Chapel. She returned to the Motherhouse in Putnam in 1944. Throughout her religious life, whether she served in Putnam; Toronto, Canada; Manchester, Michigan; or Thompson, her main responsibility was providing proper nutrition and meals to the sister’s community, residents, and children attending camps. From the beginning of Matulaitis Nursing Home in 1968, she assisted in the dietary department of the nursing home and having finished Food Supervisor studies, supervised the kitchen staff at the home. Here she lived, prayed and worked well into her retirement. Sister Tarcizija was well liked by all the staff for her calm, gentle and serving manner, her love and respect for all people and her patience, diligence and perseverance. During the last week of her life, she attended the sisters’ annual retreat, and during the last day of the retreat, felt weak, received the sacrament of the sick from the retreat master and the following day, with her community sisters joining her in prayer, she surrendered her soul to the Lord she served and loved faithfully throughout her 101 years.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Sr. Tarcisia’s community from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 in the Immaculate Conception Chapel, 600 Liberty Highway, Putnam, CT.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday August 29, 2013 in the Immaculate Conception Chapel followed by burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Putnam, CT.  Memorial donations may be made in Sister Tarcisia’s name to the Matulaitis Nursing Home, 10 Thurber Rd., Putnam, CT. 06260.  For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.