Ruth “Richard” Creedon

Sister Ruth Creedon, SNDdeN, was born in Salem, Massachusetts, the daughter of William and Edith (McDonnell) Creedon.

Taught by the Sisters starting in the first grade and was in Notre Dame schools from 7th to 12th grades, she entered Notre Dame right after high school. “I had a great devotion to prayer, and the idea of joining the Sisters was with me even when I was young,” she recalls.

She entered the SNDdeNs in 1959, taking the name Sister Richard. She took her first vows in 1961 and final vows in 1966.

Sister Ruth taught at Blessed Sacrament in Cambridge, St. Jude in Waltham, St. Mary in Danvers, St. John in Peabody, St. Mark in Dorchester, and St. Anthony in Somerville. “I enjoy teaching,” she says. “There’s a challenging side to each grade as well as its own blessings, though when students are older, it can be easier because they’re more grown up!”

She says she especially enjoyed her ministry at St. John the Baptist School. Most recently, she is a part-time teacher, and volunteers at Haven from Hunger.

Her daily routine begins with prayer, continues into ministry and ends with walks.

“I don’t like to go a day without praying at least one rosary,” she says. “I feel a great devotion to our Blessed Mother.”

Updated in 2026.