Sister Mary Richard (Anna Benanti) was born February 19, 1933, in New York City to Apostolo Benanti and Giacomina (Peraino) Benanti. She is survived by her older sister, Jo, and many devoted nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her two sisters, Kitty and Mary.

Sister Mary Richard was a sample maker of bridal gowns before she entered the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne on October 7, 1961. She made her first profession of vows on September 14, 1963.

 She served at Our Lady of Good Counsel Home in St. Paul, MN, Rose Hawthorne Lathrop Home in Fall River, MA, St. Rose’s Home in New York City for 16 years, Sacred Heart Home for 22 years and returned to Rosary Hill in 2018 where she continued to spread her joy and pray for those whom she could no longer physically care for up until the time of her death. She was professed for 62 years.

A wake will be held on February 28, 2025, at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel at Rosary Hill Home from 4:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on March 1, 2025, at 10:15 a.m. in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary at Rosary Hill, followed by an internment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne.