February 3, 1930 – December 27, 2025
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Rose Mary Rooney, who died peacefully on December 27, 2025, at Carondelet Village in St. Paul. Sister Rose Mary was joyous, generous, adventurous, artistic and creative. She loved teaching, nature, sewing, camping, drawing, quilting, and her big and beautiful family.
She was born in Osakis, Minnesota, on February 3, 1930, to Stephen and Ruby (Ensign) Rooney. In 1949, Rose Mary followed the call to enter the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in St. Paul. Elated with her decision even after 50 years, she proclaimed, “My heart sings with gratitude to a God who inspired and sustained me, and for a community of sisters who have directed, supported and provided richness in my life.”
Sister Rose Mary’s educational path included a bachelor of arts degree in English and education from St. Catherine University in St. Paul (1959), and lifelong graduate studies at the University of North Dakota, Bemidji State University and St. Catherine University.
For nearly 40 years, Sister Rose Mary taught in elementary schools in both the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis and the Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota. For 20 of those years, she supervised student teachers from these institutions. Additionally, she served on many boards including: the Fargo Diocesan Board of Education; the Board of Directors of St. John’s Hospital in Fargo; the Council of Women Religious in Fargo; and the League of Women Voters in Grand Forks.
Once back in the Twin Cities, Sister Rose Mary served as receptionist for the CSJ Administration Center in St. Paul (1994-2010). In reflecting back on her life she stated, “From my parents, I learned to be generous and hospitable to all and to be creative with any and all available resources. The CSJ Community nurtured these talents in me and expanded my horizons beyond my wildest imagining.” She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Sister Rose Mary is preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Lorraine, Genevieve, Patricia, Alice, and Jane; her brothers Lawrence, Stephen, Patrick, Thomas, Michael, Daniel, and William. She is survived by her sister Kathleen and brother John; many nieces, nephews, grand- and great-grand-nieces and nephews; dear friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of the Presentation Chapel, 1884 Randolph Ave. in St. Paul, with burial following at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights. Memorials in her honor are preferred to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul Province Retirement Fund (donate online).
Dear Rose Mary, rest in love and peace.
Rest in peace