Sister Mary Bertoli, SNJM, 94, born on June 7, 1931, died on December 11, 2025, in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
A Mass of Resurrection will be held Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 11 a.m., at the Chapel of the Holy Names, in Marylhurst, Oregon. Burial follows at Holy Names Cemetery.
Daughter of Christopher and Frances O’Brien Bertoli, Mary was born in Michigan, coming to Portland as a teenager. She joined the Holy Names in 1950, eventually receiving the religious name Sister Mary Zita. She was a teacher, an administrator, a social worker, and an artist.
Mary’s first ministry was in elementary education. In 1971, she was chosen to be provincial leader of the Oregon Province just as major changes were happening in the Church and religious life. On completing her term, she moved into roles with non-profit organizations, including as director of Rita’s Place, a shelter for battered women, named in memory of her sister Rita.
In 1991, Mary moved to Mississippi to join other Sisters ministering there. During this time she developed a tissue paper collage art style. Depicting images of people and scenes of the Delta, she created a card and print business whose proceeds were used for ministry projects.
Mary will be remembered as a woman with a big heart who deeply loved her family and friends and who was animated by a deep sense of social justice.
A Holy Names Sister for 73 years, Mary is survived by her siblings, Jean Galluzzo, Lois Conroy, nieces, grandnieces and nephews and members of her religious community. She was pre-deceased by her parents and her siblings, Holy Names Sister Judy Bertoli, Rita Dieringer and Tony Bertoli.
Remembrances may be made to Sisters of the Holy Names, P.O. Box 398, Marylhurst, OR 97036, or online at www.snjmusontario.org/donate.
