“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.”  

Sr-R-O'Donnell-webSister 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./

 

DATE OF DEATH
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