The Ursuline Sisters of Toledo, Ohio Archives is dedicated to the collection and preservation of the history, spirituality and ministry of the Ursuline Sisters, in order to extend their legacy and witness to their mission in the spirit and vision of their foundress, St. Angela Merici.

The Archives of the Ursuline Sisters of Toledo, OH

4045 Indian Road

Toledo, OH 43606

419-536-9587

Archives Processor

Brandi Sharlow

bsharlow@toledosua.org

Sister Contact

Sr. Donna Frey

419-536-9587

dfrey@ursulinecenter.org

Research Questions – please contact either of the above.

Snapshot From the Past

Sister Rita Marie Hittler was born in Sylvania, Ohio, in 1907. She attended St. Agnes School and graduated from Central Catholic High School. Sister Rita Marie entered the Ursuline Convent in 1928 and continued her education at Mary Manse College and Toledo Teachers’ College. She received her master’s degree in French from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and pursued further studies at the Institut Pédagogique in Montreal, Canada; Georgetown University; and the University of Geneva in Switzerland.

Before receiving her master’s degree, Sister Rita Marie taught in the elementary schools at St. Agnes and St. Francis de Sales. She later taught French at St. Ursula Academy and then at Mary Manse College. Sister Rita Marie was instrumental in establishing a language lab at Mary Manse and was a strong advocate for the use of audiovisual equipment in the teaching of foreign languages. After retiring from Mary Manse, she worked at St. Angela Hall as secretary to the principals and also cared for the Ecumenical Library.

Sister Rita Marie was always very ladylike, and some might have described her as “straight-laced.” She also had a keen sense of the absurd and enjoyed talking with people, listening to their stories, and sharing a good time with them.



She died on October 11, 1998, at the age of 90.