Principal Peter Nicholls and student representatives Georgia Martin, Lachlan Irvine and Joel Christensen travelled to Lochinvar to attend the funeral at St Patrick's Parish Church on June 13.

"Sr Anita was a member of St Clare's staff from 1991 to 2006 serving the school community in the area of wellbeing and pastoral care," Mr Nicholls said.

"An experienced secondary school principal, Sr Anita became well known in the Taree community for her good humour, hard work, compassion and ability to work with people from all walks of life.

"In many respects Sr Anita lived the Josephite mantra of never seeing a need without doing something about it."

Acting Catholic Schools Office Director, Gerard Mowbray, said Sr Anita was a highly regarded and much loved educational leader of the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese.

"I came to know Anita in her later years when she had concluded her years as principal. In this time still working in schools, in particular St Clare's, Taree she was a wonderful mentor to many leaders passing on her significant wisdom, always tinged with great care and humour.

"She leaves an indelible legacy as a wonderful Josephite leader in our Catholic schools," Mr Mowbray said.

The mass to celebrate Sr Anita's life and legacy will be in the St Clare's Josephite Centre from 11am on Friday, June 28.

Did you know the Manning River Times is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: SIGN UP HERE.