A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Sept. 19 in the Chapel of Mary Immaculate at the motherhouse of the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, N.J., for Sister Immaculata Arboline. She died on Sept. 15 at Mallinckrodt Convent in Mendham. She was 94.
Sarah “Sally” Arboline (Arbolino) was born in Netcong, N.J. in 1931 as the youngest of the 11 children of Nicholas and Immaculata (Oliva) Arbolino. She graduated St. Michael’s School and Netcong High School.
In 1946, Sister Arboline entered the candidacy at the motherhouse in Mendham and was invested as a religious sister in 1947, receiving the religious name Sister Immaculata. She graduated from Immaculata High School, also in Mendham. Sister Arboline professed her first vows in 1949, and her perpetual vows in 1955.
Sister Arboline began her ministry as a religious in education. She taught at St. John’s School in Scranton, Penn., and St. Nicholas School in Wilkes-Barre, Penn.
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Then, Sister Arboline earned a diploma as a registered nurse from St. Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing in Newark, N.J. She furthered her nursing education by earning a bachelor’s degree from Marillac College in Normandy, Mo., and a master’s degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Upon completion of her nursing studies, Sister Arboline became a nursing supervisor at Divine Providence Hospital, Williamsport, Penn., and then a nursing instructor at College Misericordia (now Misericordia University), Dallas, Penn. From 1971 to 1977, Sister Arboline served in supervisory capacities in the Intensive Care Unit and Recovery Room and as clinical coordinator at Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, Penn.
In 1977, Sister Arboline began serving as head nurse of the sisters’ infirmary at Holy Family Convent in Danville, Penn. In 1979, she began her service as the nurse at the Generalate of the Sisters of Christian Charity in Rome, Italy. Upon her return to the U.S. in 1997, she served as assistant nursing supervisor at Holy Family Convent until 2001, when she was transferred to the motherhouse in Mendham to become the head nurse of the infirmary.
In 2006, the Sisters of Christian Charity began getting involved with Healing the Children. They would host children who came to the United States to receive surgeries for serious medical conditions that could not be treated in their home countries.
Sister Arboline took the role of “host family” for these children to a new level, beyond merely offering room and board. She often accompanied the children and their parents to medical appointments and helped them navigate the health care system. She was also a mother figure and confidant to the parents who accompanied their children here. Over the years, the Sisters of Christian Charity hosted seven children.
In 2016, Sister Arboline represented the community in accepting the “Sergio Award” from Healing the Children, “presented to volunteers whose dedication, time and compassion have helped to change the life of a child in need.”
Sister Arboline was among the Sisters who moved to the new motherhouse in Mendham in May 2018. She continued to be of service wherever possible and was also involved in a ministry of prayer and presence. In May 2025, she retired as a registered nurse.
Sister Arboline is survived by the Sisters of Christian Charity and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and all her siblings.
Donations in Sister Immaculata Arboline’s memory can be sent to the Sisters of Christian Charity, 350 Bernardsville Road, Mendham, N.J. 07945, or made online at sccus.org/donate.
