Mary Richter

Sister Mary Jeanita Richter (Mary Ann Richter) was born on September 21,1936, in Adair, Iowa, to Anthony and Monica Richter. She passed away July 11, 2025, at the age of 88. She was the youngest and only girl of four brothers, Eugene, Clair, Jon and Leo.

She graduated from Mercy Preparatory High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and attended College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree, and her Master’s degree from Clark College. She entered the Institute of Religious Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1955, and made her Act of Profession on August 16, 1961. She had a thirty-five-year career in education teaching/administrating elementary schools in North Dakota, New Mexico, Iowa and Oregon.

She taught at St. Joseph Catholic School in Roseburg, Oregon, then became principal. She hired Barb Beatty to teach who became a lifelong friend. During this time, Sister established the Roseburg Mercy Associates as a branch of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The purpose is to carry on Catherine McAuley’s (founder) spiritual and corporal works of Mercy, to continue the legacy of Sisters of Mercy.

In 1994 Sr. Jeanita rented a building on Cobb Street which is where the name originated and started Cobb Street Daycare. She later purchased the property on Walnut Street where Cobb Children’s Learning Center currently resides. Cobb celebrated 30 years in 2024 serving the children of our community,

In 2017 Sr. Jeanita moved to Riverview Terrace (kicking and screaming) where she resided until her death. She had an open-door policy for anyone to stop and visit, which became her new ministry. Sister was very involved with her community within the home.

Locally, Sister is survived by her Niece Cindy Gilbreath, Cousin Cheri Page, and their families. She is also survived by sister-in-law Jeanne (Gene) Richter and Phyllis (Clair) O’Brien and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Anthony and Monica Richter, brothers Gene, Clair, Jon, Leo.

The family would like to extend special thanks to all those who loved and cared for Sister Jeanita. A heartfelt thanks to the staff and residents at Riverview Terrace who made her feel loved during her residency, all of her former students who have never forgotten her and the Mercy Associates who were by her side until her death and will carry on the Mercy mission.

Funeral arrangements are being made through Wilson’s Chapel of the Roses. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Sister Jeanita’s name to Cobb Children’s Learning Center and/or Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Roseburg, Oregon, on Saturday, August 9th, at 10:00 am. Rosary prior to mass at 9:15 am.