She was soft-spoken with an easy warm smile, poised and gracious in manner and, even in simple dress, was always elegant in appearance.
Sister Rose Frederick (Eleanor Bernice) was born February 18, 1936, in Manhattan, one of two daughters of Frederick and Rose Durham Jones. Eleanor attended Resurrection Elementary and Cathedral High School, both in Manhattan, and the College of Mount Saint Vincent where she earned a BA in French. After graduation, she entered the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1957. Sister Rose later earned an MA in French from Fordham University and, ten years later, an MSW from Hunter College School of Social Work. She was awarded New York State Permanent Certification in Social Work.
Sister Rose Frederick had 52 years of active ministry, 12 as a teacher and 40 years in social work. She taught French at Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx, Cathedral High School in Manhattan, and the College of Mount Saint Vincent. Her subsequent years were devoted to the healing ministry of social work at the New York Foundling in Manhattan and, for 34 years, as a social worker/therapist at the Mental Health Clinic of Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Yonkers.
In 2012, Sister Rose retired from active ministry and went to live with the retirement community at Mount Saint Vincent Convent. In 2017, she moved to Saint Patrick’s Home in the Bronx, where she died on October 28, 2021.
In addition to her active ministries, Sister Rose often was asked to share her gifts and life experiences in other ways. In 1968, she served as the first chairperson of the newly formed Committee of Sisters of Charity for Race Relations and as a panel member of its sponsored workshops. In the mid-1970s, she was invited to join the Board of Trustees of the Riverdale Mental Health Clinic. She became a member of the Board of Elizabeth Seton College in Yonkers in the 1980s and the Board of the College of Mount Saint Vincent in 2005.
Sister Rose found her own ways of relaxing from a busy schedule through her yoga routines, rides in the country —particularly in autumn— and connecting with loyal friends. She was soft-spoken with an easy warm smile, poised and gracious in manner and, even in simple dress, always elegant in appearance. She considered her ministry as a social worker/therapist to be “sacred” and held in respect the private thoughts and experiences that were shared with her.
Sister Rose, whenever you prayed Psalm 27, you professed with the psalmist, “God is my light and my salvation, my life’s refuge.” You asked for just one thing, “… to dwell in the house of my God all the days of my life.” Now a loving God welcomes you to all that you have desired.
Rest in God’s peace.
Date of Death
October 28, 2021
Age
85
Wake
Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 9–10 a.m.
Flynn Memorial Home
1652 Central Park Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10710
Prayer Service at 9:30 a.m.
Live Streaming begins at 9:30 a.m.: https://venue.streamspot.com/d286a8ab
Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 10:30 a.m.
St. Margaret of Cortona Church
6000 Riverdale Avenue
Bronx, NY 10471
Live Streaming begins at 10:30 a.m.: https://venue.streamspot.com/217aa3db
Burial
St. Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY
Missions
Archdiocese of New York
- Sisters of Charity, Bronx
1960, Assistant to Bursar - Cardinal Spellman HS, Bronx
1960–66, Teacher, French - Cathedral HS, Manhattan
1966-69, Teacher, French - College of Mount Saint Vincent, Bronx
1969–72, Instructor, French - New York Foundling, Manhattan
1974–78, Guidance Clinic
- Saint Joseph Medical Center, Yonkers
1978–2012, Social Worker/Therapist
So very sorry for your great loss. May she rest in peace
Sr Rose was a beautiful person inside and out RIP
Bonnie
Sister Rose was my French teacher at Cardinal Spellman. She was a dignified woman with a keen sense of humor. Sister once told us: “If you stand up straight, you’ll look 5 pounds lighter!” We followed her advice. She inspired me to become a French major in college. I will always remember her. Que Dieu vous benisse, Soeur Rose!
Kind, calming, and. elegant.
It was a gift to be able to spend time with her at St. Patrick’s Home. She was a very special woman.
It was a gift to be able to spend time with Sr. Rose at St. Patrick’s Home. She was a very special woman.
” She walks in beauty like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes,
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
And on that cheek and o’er that brow
So soft, so calm, so eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent. ”
-Lord Byron
Rest well, Rose, in quiet peace and in the
light of the Lord you served so well.
Before I ever had the privilege to meet Sr. Rose, I knew she was special simply by how she carried herself. She was the very embodiment of elegance, dignity, and strength of character, and she exuded a peacefulness that only comes from walking each day with her Creator. I consider myself blessed to have known her while I was a student at Spellman and at the Mount. She was, is, and will always be, unforgettable.
Sr. Rose was my French teacher at Cardinal Spellman High School. She was just a great teacher and a wonderful nun. She was so special.
I remember Sister rose from my days at Cardinal Spellman. I didn’t have her as a teacher, but I do recall always seeing her smiling.
My freshman year homeroom teacher who taught me French with her most beautiful voice and lovely handwriting on the blackboard. We all admired her beauty and how she dedicated her life to God. She was well-loved and respected. May she rest in peace. I feel so sad now it hurts.
Thank you for sharing your memories. Sister Rose lives in the hearts of many, including yours. Peace and blessings to you, Mary Ann.