Sister Elisa Tanaka, a Sister of St. Francis of the Providence of God for 63 years, died at the age of 83 on August 27, 2025, at our Recanto Paz e Bem residence in Brazil. The youngest of six children in a Japanese-Brazilian family in São Paulo, Sister Elisa entered the Congregation as a postulant in February 1962 and professed her perpetual vows on January 26, 1969.
In 1972, she completed the Teacher Training course for Primary Education – Magisterium and dedicated her ministry almost exclusively to academic work at our Pius XII, São Miguel Arcanjo and Nossa Senhora do Carmo schools. Sister Elisa truly loved her work in education and is remembered as a great educator and literacy teacher. In addition to education, Sister worked with catechesis, including serving as a counselor of Religious Education. She also served as an assistant director and served in Parish ministry, especially catechesis. In 1984, She was missioned to São Miguel dos Campos, AL, where she served in parish ministry.
In 2016, Sister Elisa was transferred to Recanto Paz e Bem, in order to take care of her fragile health, yet she still assisted with some internal work in the community when able. She also lovingly cared for the neighborhood birds.
Our Community gives thanks to our Provident God for Sister Elisa’s life, her peaceful spirit, and her unique way of manifesting the light and love of Christ. We offer our continuing prayers that she will rest in the peace and love of God in her eternal home.