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March
5, 2007
VOL.
45, NO. 5Oakland,
CA
OBITUARIES
Sister M. Norinne Clifford, SHF
Sister M. Norinne Clifford, a member of Holy Family Sisters for 72 years
and a resident at their Motherhouse in Fremont, died Feb. 16. She was
90 years of age.
A native of San Francisco, she joined the congregation in 1935 and ministered
as a religious education coordinator for many years in parishes throughout
California, Nevada, Texas and Hawaii.
In the Oakland Diocese she served as multi-parish coordinator at St. Paul
Parish in San Pablo (1939-41); Our Lady of Mercy in Point Richmond (1939-41);
St. Ambrose in Berkeley (1939-40, 1947-50); St. Mark in Richmond (1939-41);
Mary Help of Christians in Oakland (1939-41); St. Joseph in Oakland (1940-43);
Assumption in San Leandro (1963-64); St. Leander in San Leandro (1963-64);
St. Clement in Hayward (1963-64); and St. John the Baptist in San Lorenzo
(1963-64).
Sister Clifford twice served at St. Vincent Day Home in Oakland, from
1941-43, and, as director, 1947-51. She was also director at St. Francis
Day Home in San Francisco, which is no longer in existence.
While living at the motherhouse, she continued to serve through her ministry
of prayer.
Survivors include her sisters, Margaret Kotlanger of San Francisco, Ellen
Vitorelo of Santa Rosa, and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial Mass was held Feb. 22 at the Motherhouse Chapel of Sisters
of the Holy Family in Fremont.
John DeVito
John DeVito, a lifelong member at Pittsburg’s St. Peter Martyr Parish
who left a legacy of service to his parish and the greater community,
died Feb. 19 at the age of 91.
He began eight decades of service at St. Peter Martyr in 1922 when he
became an altar server. He later became an usher and a Eucharistic Minister.
Over the years he served as president of the parish’s Young Men’s
Institute, the Knights of Columbus, the Italian American Club, Sons of
Italy, Italian Catholic Federation, Foresters of America, Holy Name Society,
and St. Vincent de Paul Society. He also helped with the annual Columbus
Day Parade.
Carolyn Krantz, pastoral associate at St. Peter Martyr, said DeVito reached
out to care for the poor and sick in the community. He devoted countless
hours as a volunteer at the Pittsburg Care Center, which honored him by
dedicating the facility’s multipurpose room in his name. He also
spent 33 years as a volunteer for the Pittsburg Fire Department.
In 1977 DeVito received the prestigious Benemerenti Award, a papal honor
given in recognition of meritorious service to the Church.
Survivors include his nephews, Angelo John Costanza, Larry Costanza, and
Mark Sparacino, a grandnephew and two great-grandnieces.
The funeral Mass was held Feb. 22 at St. Peter Martyr Church. Burial followed
at Holy Cross Cemetery in Antioch. Contributions in DeVito’s memory
may be made to St. Peter Martyr Parish, 740 Black Diamond St., Pittsburg.
