“All who knew Sister Rosemary will remember her kind and gentle ways, her beautiful smile, and her dedication to education and the children she taught, as well as their parents and families.”
Sister Rosemary O’Donnell (Sister Regina Joseph) was born on August 16, 1927 on Staten Island, one of three children born to Thomas and Margaret Pershick O’Donnell. Rosemary attended P.S. 40 and Saint Peter’s High School and then worked for a year before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1946. Sister Regina Joseph earned a BA in English from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, an MA in Religious Education from the Catholic University of America and an MA in English from Manhattan College.
Sister Rosemary’s first ministry was in elementary education where she taught for fifteen years. She was first missioned to Resurrection, Rye; then to Saint Joseph and Epiphany Schools, both in Manhattan; and to Saint Peter in Poughkeepsie. In 1963, Sister Rosemary was missioned to Cardinal Spellman High School where she taught English and Religion. Her next ministry was working as a Religious Education Coordinator and Religion Teacher in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Manhattan. She continued to work in the field of Religious Education as the Director of Programs in Elizabeth Seton Academy, Bronx; Holy Name of Jesus Parish, New Rochelle; and Saint Margaret Mary Parish, Bronx. When she retired, Sister Rosemary volunteered in the Life Experience and Faith Sharing Association, a ministry to the homeless, and assisted in the homeless shelters of New York City. She also volunteered in the Religious Education Program in Saint Joseph Parish, Yonkers. In 2009, Sister Rosemary was missioned to the Convent of Mary the Queen where she spent five years and then moved to Saint Patrick’s Home in the Bronx in 2015.
During her retirement years Sister Rosemary enjoyed visiting the Sisters, talking with staff and visitors, but mostly she was happy to have the time with her God — “to pray, to listen, to just be still and know that he is God.” All who knew her will remember her kind and gentle ways, her beautiful smile, and her dedication to education and the children she taught, as well as their parents and families.
We rejoice with you, Sister Rosemary, as you now meet your loving God face to face and join in the company of your family, friends, and the Sisters of Charity who have entered into the kingdom before you. May you enjoy eternal peace and happiness./
January 17, 2016
AGE
88
WAKE
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
Assembly Room
6301 Riverdale Ave.
Bronx, NY 10471
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
10 am – 1 pm
MASS OF THE RESURRECTION
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
Assembly Room
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
1 pm
BURIAL
St. Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY
Ministries
Archdiocese of New York
- Resurrection, Rye
1948, Gr. 5 - St. Joseph, Manhattan
1948–54, Teacher, Gr. 1,6 - Epiphany, Manhattan
1954–58, Teacher, Gr. 1 - St. Peter, Poughkeepsie
1958–63, Teacher, Gr. 1 - Cardinal Spellman HS, Bronx
1963–71, Teacher, Rel., Eng. - Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Manhattan
1971–79, Teacher, Rel; Rel. Ed. Coord. - St. Elizabeth Seton Academy, Bronx
1979–81, Rel. Ed. Coord. - Holy Name Parish, New Rochelle
1981–86, Rel. Ed. Coord. - St. Margaret Mary Parish, Bronx
1986–97, Dir. Religious Ed. - Life Experience Faith Sharing Ministry
1998–2007, Volunteer - St. Joseph Parish CCD Program, Yonkers
2007–09, Vol. Teacher
Sister was my first grade teacher at Epiphany School in Manhattan, she was most kind and caring and allowed all of us to learn in such a wonderful atmosphere. I remember her being ever so patient. She was a great teacher in those most important formative years, once again God welcomes another Great Sister of Charity into His Home in Heaven. God Bless you Sister and thank you for making me the person and Religious that I am today. As always I am so grateful for my experience and formation at Epiphany School with the Sisters of Charity. God Bless all of you, please know my sadness at the loss of another great member.
Peace, Prayers, Love,
Brother David ( John Migliorino, class of 1963)
Thank you, Brother David. Your kind words are much appreciated by the Congregation and by Sr. Rosemary’s family.
Sr. Rosemary was an amazing woman, always inspiring and encouraging. I will never forget her. I occupy her office at St. Margaret Mary but can never hope to fill her shoes. I pray for her intercession.
My family and I had the pleasure of knowing Sister Rosemary when she was the Director of the CCD program at St. Margaret Mary Church in the Bronx. I have very good memories of the time spent with her and I will be forever grateful to her. She convinced my mother to allow me to study at St. Raymond’s Academy for girls under a sponsored program whice covered all tuition expenses. She also helped my family obtain additional funding for my uniforms, books and other expenses that my family would not have been able to cover due to their limited income.
Today, I am in the helping profession serving and working with children and families in need. I thank her for believing in me and for allowing me to have not only a good education, but a solid spiritual foundation as well.
Sister Rosemary did alot of good in our community and her memories will remain in our hearts as they have been throughout the years that she has been away from us.
Que Descanses en Paz .
Sister Rosemary was my aunt (her sister is my mom, Peggy Moore). She always had a very warm and easygoing way about her that made her a dear member of our family. Unfortunately due to the blizzard in NY today and tomorrow and the resulting travel restrictions, my family and I will be unable to be there,and most likely for whenever the service and funeral will be rescheduled, which as I understand it might possibly be Tuesday the 26th. However, I’ve been told that the service will be video-recorded and streamed online and available for 30 days after.
I would appreciate it very much if someone could email me the link to view the stream of the service when it is available, so that I can also forward it to the rest of my family members
Thank you,
Patrick Moore
12 Manor Lane
Oxford MA 01540
patgoirish@aol.com
REST IN PEACE DEAR SISTER