Sister Carlita Vollmer was born on January 19, 1922 in Paterson, New Jersey. Her parents, Charles J. Vollmer and Marie (Byrne) baptized her Catherine but she was always known as Kathleen. She had four sisters: Bernadette, Alice, Marie, and Julia. Another girl, who was baptized Carlita, died as an infant.

Kathleen, as she was known, attended St. Agnes Grammar School in Paterson, New Jersey, but knew the Franciscan Sisters from St. Bonaventure’s Parish in Paterson. She attended St. Mary’s High School, also in Paterson, graduating in 1939. On September 8 of the same year, she entered the novitiate of the Franciscan Sisters in Peekskill at 17. After her religious profession in 1941, Sister Carlita attended Ladycliff College in Highland Falls earning her B.A. in History in 1952. She was assigned to the field of education and began her teaching career at St. Joseph School, now St. Joseph Academy, in Bogota, New Jersey. Through her early years, she taught at various elementary schools in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and New York.

In 1967, Sister Carlita joined the sisters who opened a residential school in the town of Apollo, Bolivia. She ministered there until 1971. Upon her return to the United States, she taught for one year at Sacred Heart School in Highland Falls before studying nursing at St. Clare’s Hospital in New York City for one year. Her studies were interrupted when she was asked to become the Superior and Administrator of Queen of Angels Convent, Peekskill. This was a new residence for retired sisters who moved into the renovated former Peekskill Hospital. She held that position until 1977, when she happily returned to Bolivia for another two years.

Upon her return, she cared for the sisters in the sisters’ infirmary at Mount St. Francis, Peekskill, where she served until 1983. That experience led her to become part of the staff at St. Vincent’s Residence in Montclair, New Jersey.

During that time, Sister Carlita became one of the founders of the new congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Peace in 1986. She ministered as Assistant Secretary at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in West Orange, New Jersey for 11 years.

In 2002, Sister Carlita retired from active ministry and joined the community of sisters at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Lincoln Park, New Jersey, where she spent her time visiting the homebound and the residents of local nursing homes.

In July 2017, Sister Carlita joined the Marian Woods Community of sisters residing in Hartsdale. This year marked her 84^th year in religious life.

After a short illness, she died peacefully at St. Cabrini Nursing Home on June 21, 2023. We will always remember Sister Carlita’s sense of humor and candor along with her kindness and gratitude.

Sister Carlita Vollmer was predeceased by her sisters, Bernadette Roskob (Frederick); Alice Saulenas (William); Julia Vollmer; Marie Poetz/Stickelberger (Jerry); and baby sister, Carlita. Surviving are 11 loving nieces and nephews.

Wake services will be held at Marian Woods on Tuesday, June 27 from 2-5 p.m. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at Marian Woods on Wednesday, June 28 at 10:00 a.m. followed by interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Yonkers.