Sister Elizabeth Scadova, a Sister of Mercy who devoted 77 years to religious life and education, died March 5 at age 96, according to her obituary.
Born in Altona, N.Y., as one of 11 children to John and Evelyn (Lagoy) Scadova, she grew up in Keene and was known to family as Liz or Betty. Her educational career spanned decades and touched communities throughout New Hampshire, including several in the Dartmouth area.
Sister Elizabeth earned multiple degrees during her academic career, according to the obituary. She graduated from Mt. St. Mary College with a bachelor of arts, obtained a master of arts in English from Keene State College, and completed a master of arts in religious education at Emmanuel College.
Her teaching career began in elementary schools across New Hampshire, including positions in Claremont, Manchester, Nashua, Keene and Laconia. She later taught at Bishop Brady and Trinity High Schools before transitioning to adult education.
From 1971 to 1989, Sister Elizabeth taught Christian Life Center courses to adults in Hanover, Lebanon, Nashua and Manchester, according to the obituary. Her work in the Upper Valley region brought her educational mission directly to the Dartmouth area, where she served the Hanover community for nearly two decades.
Beginning in 1994, she found what the obituary describes as “rewarding Ministry” teaching English and citizenship to immigrants in Manchester and Nashua. This work continued until 2018, when she was 88 years old, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to education and service.
Beyond her classroom work, Sister Elizabeth engaged in justice advocacy through her religious community. She participated in committee work and advocacy efforts, and helped organize the WISH (Women in Search of Hope) Center in Manchester, according to the obituary.
The obituary notes that she “stayed up-to-date all her life, read voraciously, and kept in touch with many,” suggesting an active intellectual life that continued into her later years. She maintained close relationships with her large family throughout her life.
Sister Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents and nine siblings: Norman, John, Francis, Gerald and Merton Scadova, Isabelle Rennock, Juanita Welch, Gloria Curtis and Ramona Pettit. She is survived by her brother Donald and many nieces and nephews, according to the obituary.
A wake will be held Friday, March 13, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Warde Senior Living, 21 Searles Road, Windham, according to funeral arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel, with burial at St. Joseph Cemetery in Bedford.
The Carrier Family Funeral Home in Windham is handling arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy of the Northeast in Cumberland, Rhode Island, or online at www.sistersofmercy.org.
Sister Elizabeth’s nearly eight-decade religious vocation and her particular focus on adult education in the Upper Valley region leaves a lasting impact on the communities she served, including those in the greater Dartmouth area where she brought educational opportunities to residents seeking to expand their knowledge and civic participation.
