Obituary of Sister Charlene Verbetich

Obituary of Sister Charlene Verbetich, SCC

Sister of Christian Charity Charlene Verbetich passed away on September 16, 2023, at Mallinckrodt Convent, Mendham, New Jersey.

Anna Verbetich was born in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, on July 5, 1929to Carl and Helen (Craig) Verbetich. Anna entered the Sisters of Christian Charity on August 29, 1943 in Mendham and began herNovitiate on August 21, 1945, receiving the name Sister Charlene. She professed her First Vows on August 21, 1947, and her Perpetual Vows on August 20, 1953.

Sister Charlene was a graduate of Sacred Heart School, Luzerne, and Immaculata High School, Mendham. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Science in Education, both from Marywood College (now University), Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Sister Charlene’s 78 years as a Sister of Christian Charity were lovingly dedicated to the instruction of young children in Catholic schools as teacher and principal. She also served the community as superior in many of the convents in which she lived.   Sister Charlene’s ministry in New Jersey included: Elizabeth (St. Michael); Jersey City (St. Nicholas); Newton (St. Joseph); and Hackettstown (St. Mary). Her ministry in Florida included: Winter Park (St. Margaret Mary) and Sanford (All Souls). Her places of ministry in Pennsylvania included Williamsport (St. Boniface); Scranton (St. Mary); Mountain Top (St. Jude); Wilkes-Barre (St. Nicholas and St. Boniface); Pottsville (St. John the Baptist); Luzerne (Sacred Heart); Jim Thorpe (St. Joseph); and Allentown (Our Lady Help of Christians), where she served for almost 30 years. 

In July 2018, Sister Charlene moved to the new Motherhouse in Mendham, where she participated in a ministry of prayer and presence until the time of her death.  

Sister Charlene is survived by the Sisters of Christian Charity, by her sisters, Lucille Reed, Caroline Rukstalis, Helen Zimmerman, Bernardine Simon (and her husband, Abraham), and Margaret Smith, as well as her extended family of beloved nephews, nieces and their children.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Charles Verbetich, and her sisters, Mary Fondo, Dolores Leonard and Theresa Simon.  

Visitation will be held in the Chapel of Mary Immaculate at the Motherhouse in Mendham on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. with Vespers being prayed at 4:30 p.m.  The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Chapel of Mary Immaculate on Wednesday, September 20 at 11:00 a.m., and will be livestreamed at sccus.org. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery on the grounds of the Motherhouse.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of SisterCharlene Verbetich to the Sisters of Christian Charity, 350 Bernardsville Road, Mendham, NJ 07945, or at sccus.org/donate.