Sister Romilda Chiga, of Nutley, passed away on Saturday August 18, 2018. Sr. Romilda Chiga was born in Zollino, province of Lecce, Italy and baptized Maria Teresa Chiga, daughter of Giuseppe Chiga and Abbondanza Ferente. Brothers Mario and Ernesto predeceased her. She is survived by two beloved sisters, Gilda and Antonietta; and cherished nieces and nephews. Upon entering the novitiate for her religious formation on November 19, 1956, she was given the religious name Sister Romilda of St. Joseph. Arriving in the United States in 1958 and embracing this new country as her home, she commenced 60 years of zealous service. Sr. Romilda professed her perpetual vows on December 10, 1962. She was sent to the convent of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth, Jersey City. A few years later, Sr. Romilda was transferred to St. Francis Assisi School and Convent in the Bronx, New York, so that she could attend Mercy College. She earned her Bachelor's degree in education in 1971. She attained teaching credentials from the states of New York and New Jersey. Thereafter, Sister Romilda returned to the convent in Jersey City, where she began her formal teaching assignment at St. Elizabeth Child Care Center. In the early 1980's Sister Romilda was transferred to Holy Family School in Nutley, New Jersey. She returned to school and earned her Masters in Education from Seton Hall University.
Sister Romilda was sent on numerous missions for their works in Indonesia, India and Panama. In October 2000, Sr. Romilda left for the Philippines to oversee a newly founded convent and where she managed the construction of a chapel for the convent.
Devoted servant of God; called to put people first and herself last; obedient and united to the will of the Lord; directress, educator and loving mother to all her day care children- never ceasing- accompanying them on their life's journey from toddlers to adulthood; dedicated mother superior to the sisters in her community; endless source of love, compassion, and generosity as she ministered to all; prayerful and faithful presence on the altar; she was committed to the Italian people; she loved us; she laughed with us; she cried with us; she will be profoundly missed by us; she was a saint among us; Recipient of the Doctor Virginius D. Mattia Memorial Award for humanitarian service; recipient of the distinguished Knights of Columbus Santa Maria award; Grand Marshall of the Nutley Belleville Columbus Day Parade.

Reposing for Sr. Romilda will be held at Holy Family Church, 28 Brookline Avenue in Nutley on Friday August 24 from 3 to 10:30 pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the church on Saturday at 10 am.

Interment at Saint Elizabeth Cemetery in Parsippany will be private.

Donations in lieu of flowers to support the medical clinic of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth in Ethiopia should be sent to: "Franciscan Sister of St. Elizabeth" 174 Franklin Avenue, Nutley, New Jersey 07110

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