Sr. Mary Vita Pandolfo, RSM, died peacefully Nov. 7 at McAuley Life Center in Farmington Hills. She was 91.

Born to Joseph and Bella (Manzo) Pandolfo on Jan. 31, 1923, in Detroit, Sr. Pandolfo was a member of Santa Maria Parish, where she was christened with the name Mary Teresa. On Feb. 1, 1942, she joined the Sisters of Mercy. On Aug. 16, 1947, she made perpetual vows at the Sisters of Mercy Provincialate.

Most of Sister Mary Vita’s active ministry was in health care. As a nurse, she served at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor, for many years as supervisor of pediatrics. During that time, she completed her bachelor’s degree at Mercy College and a master’s from the University of Michigan. It was there that her love of literature, especially reading and writing poetry, became evident.

In 1957, Sr. Pandolfo studied to become a medical record librarian at St. Louis University. Upon her return, she was assigned to Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital in Detroit, where she became the director of medical records and served on the faculty of Mercy College. After 25 years, she returned to direct patient care and served as a hospice nurse. She later served as director of communications for the Province of Detroit.

In 1990, she began serving at St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Farmington Hills as a clerical assistant.

Sr. Pandolfo is survived by a niece, many friends and the Sisters of Mercy. A funeral liturgy was Nov. 11 at McAuley Life Center Chapel in Farmington Hills. Burial is in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.