February 17, 1928 – April 16, 2025
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Rosemary Endres, CSJ (formerly Sister Anne Michael), who died at Teresian House in Albany, New York, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Sister Rosemary was born on February 17, 1928, in Syracuse, New York, the daughter of Philip Michael and Wilhelmina Ballway Endres. In 1945, she completed her elementary and secondary education at St. Vincent de Paul School. Rosemary entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in Troy, New York. She made first vows in 1952, and she pronounced final vows in August 1959.
Sister Rosemary earned a bachelor’s of science degree in elementary education and pursued graduate study at The College of Saint Rose. Her early years of ministry were in the elementary schools of the Albany Diocese as well as in the schools of the Honolulu Diocese, Hawai`i.
As Schenectady neighborhoods changed, parishes were committed to serving the needs of their neighbors, Sister Rosemary and Sister Joseph, a former teacher in Schenectady schools, were instrumental in helping to shape these responses. They were parish associates, visiting housebound parishioners. Hamilton Hill became the center of their parish/neighborhood service. They not only organized the food pantry and the thrift store, but they also engaged in the “Hill” Neighborhood Association, Police Advisory Center and other parish and community groups. Parish volunteers were trained in working in these agencies as a way of becoming “neighbors helping neighbors.” Sister Rosemary’s 40 years of ministry in the Hamilton Hill neighborhood extended to serving throughout the city to foster a community spirit that has enabled this service to expand and continue. Her life was characterized not only by her deep sense of zeal in ministry but also by a wonderful sense of humor.
Sister Rosemary was predeceased by her parents, Philip and Wilhelmina, and her sisters, Florence and Helen. Her memory is cherished by the Sisters of St. Joseph; her nephews, Charles, Mark and Donald Sinclair; and her nieces, Suzanne Golden, Denise Nolan, Jane Sadlier, Mary Kraushaar, Maureen Kurtz and their families. The Sisters of St. Joseph are grateful for the care she received at St. Joseph Provincial House and the Teresian House Community.
Sister Rosemary’s life will be celebrated in the Chapel of Saint Joseph’s Provincial House in Latham, New York, beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22 with midday prayer at 3:00 p.m. The funeral liturgy will be on Wednesday, April 23 at 10:30 a.m.
Contributions in Sister Rosemary’s memory may be made to the Office of Mission Advancement, St. Joseph’s Provincial House, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110 or donate online.