Sister of the Living Word Laurita (Virginia) Saunders, 96, died Aug. 9 at Presence Resurrection Life Center in Chicago.

Born in Massachusetts, she moved to Chicago with her family. She graduated from Wilmette Mallinckrodt High School in 1939 and joined the Sisters of Christian Charity. She made her final vows in 1948.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Laurita taught at St. Raphael (1954-1959) and St. Theresa, Palatine (1968-1975).

After 27 years as a Sister of Christian Charity, Sister Laurita joined 89 other sisters to form the new Sisters of the Living Word. She served as director of religious education and adult education at Sacred Heart, Palos Hills (1975-1976); St. Ita (1976-1978) and St. Joseph the Worker, Wheeling (1978-1983). She then ministered at St. Mary, Evanston (1984-1986) and taught math at Pope John XXIII School, Evanston (1986-1987).

In 1988, she started her ministry as hospitality coordinator at the Living Word Center in Arlington Heights.