News & Happenings

Sister Ruth McGoldrick entered the Sisters of Providence Congregation in 1959

Sister Ruth McGoldrick, formerly known as Sister Mary Ruth, died on February 27, 2026 in the 72nd year of her religious life. Born in Quincy, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Orrin and Florence (Taylor) McGoldrick.

After entering the Sisters of Providence Congregation in 1955, Sister Ruth attended Boston College School of Education, earning a Bachelor’s Degree, Magna Cum Laude, in 1959, and later, a Master’s of Religious Education from St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana in 1965.

Sister Ruth became Vocation Director until 1969 and then Formation Director for the Congregation. She was selected in 1973 as the Executive Director of the National Sister Formation Conference in Washington, D.C. until 1976, when she became the Program Director at Genesis Spiritual Life Center, in Westfield, Mass. In addition, she was elected as a member of the Sisters of Providence Executive Council for two terms (1977-1985).

Sister Ruth left her position at Genesis when she was elected President of the Sisters of Providence Congregation in 1993, a position she held until 2001.

Sister Ruth served on the Boards of numerous organizations over the years, such as the Institute for Research in Spirituality, Religious Formation Conference, National Intensive Journal Program, Foundation for Integral Research, National Sisters Vocation Conference, and Sister Formation Conference (Chairperson of NE Region). In healthcare, she was a member of the Sisters of Providence Health System Board of Trustees and committees, and then, Catholic Health East Sponsors’ Council and committees.

She was instrumental in establishing the Women of Providence in Collaboration and served on its Governing Board.

Sister Ruth was a thoughtful writer on the theology of Providence and St. Vincent de Paul and had many papers published on the topics of Adult Spirituality as well as Providence Spirituality. Inquisitive, an avid reader in tune with church and world events, knowledgeable about Christian spirituality and prayer, she was a sought-after spiritual director and continued to provide spiritual direction at Genesis and privately for many years.

She was a Charter member of Women’s Ordination Conference, Delegate to Sisters Uniting, National Advisory Commission for International Women’s Year, participant in Bicentennial Projects in Washington area and Director of Futureshop on Formation. Sister Ruth also served on Providence Ministries for the Needy Board of Directors, Catholic Hospital Association’s Committee on Sponsorship, Diocesan Core Group for Ministry to Separated and Divorced, Executive Advisory Board of the Neurofibromatosis Association, the US Bishop’s Study Committee on Decline in Vocations in the Church.

She is survived by her Sisters in Community, several cousins in the Boston area, and numerous friends. The Wake will be held on Wed., March 4, 2026, from 8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. at Providence Place, 5 Gamelin Street, Holyoke, Mass., followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. in the Providence Place Chapel.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 5 Gamelin St., Holyoke, MA 01040.

To send your condolences, please email the Sisters of Providence President’s Office.