Dominican Sister of Peace Rosemary Kirsten, OP (93), a native of Chicago, Illinois, died on December 18, 2020, at Sansbury Care Center, St. Catharine, Kentucky. Sr. Rosemary is survived by several nieces and nephews.
A Dominican for 72 years, Sr. Rosemary earned a Bachelor of Arts in History/Education from Siena College (Memphis, TN) and a Master of Arts in Library Science from Rosary College (River Forest, IL). She ministered as a teacher at St. Vincent Ferrer (Brooklyn, NY); Colegio San Carlos (Aguadilla, PR); St. Mary (Bellevue, NE); St. Patrick (McCook, NE); and Bishop McManus High (Aguadilla, PR). Sister Rosemary was an Assistant Librarian at Holy Rosary Academy (Louisville, KY); Memorial Public Library (Arlington Heights, IL); Ella Borden Public Library (Elgin, IL); St. Michael (Orland Park, IL); Central Catholic High (Grand Island, NE); Blessed Sacrament (Grand Island, NE); and the audio/visual librarian for the Diocesan Office (Omaha, NE). She was a Sacristan and Adult Education Consultant at St. John Berchman in (Chicago, IL) and a media center supervisor in the education office for the archdiocese of Chicago, IL. Later she was a consultant for Special Education in the Education Office in Joliet, IL. She became a social service worker/director at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home (Joliet, IL) and Oak Crest Residence Home (Elgin, IL). In 1990, Sr. Rosemary was secretary for community health/education at Sherman Hospital (Elgin, IL) and later school secretary at Bartlett Learning Center (Elgin, IL). She went on to become the receptionist at Immaculata Convent (Elgin, IL). In 2003, Sr. Rosemary moved to St. Catharine Motherhouse (St. Catharine, KY) where she volunteered at the Motherhouse, Sansbury Care Center (St. Catharine, KY) and at St. Catharine College (St. Catharine, KY).
In 2014, Sr. Rosemary moved to Sansbury Care Center (St. Catharine, KY), where she began a ministry of prayer and presence.
Arrangements are handled by Hale–Polin–Robinson Funeral Home in Springfield, Kentucky. Due to the COVID19 pandemic restrictions, graveside services will be private. Burial will be in the St. Catharine Motherhouse cemetery on Wednesday, December 23, 2020. A memorial mass will be held at a later date at Sansbury Care Center, St. Catharine, KY. Date to be announced.
Memorial gifts in Sr. Rosemary’s memory may be sent to Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr., Columbus, OH 43219-2098. To make a secure online donation or to view a full obituary, please visit www.oppeace.org.
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