Sr. Rose Mary Bira

Born in St. Louis, MO on February 6,1934, Rose Mary was the daughter of Robert and Catharine Bree Bira. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1952 and received the name Sister Loretta Rose. She professed her first vows in 1954 and final vows in 1959.

Sister Rose Mary received a BS in Education from Webster College, St. Louis, MO, 1969 and an MA in Religious Education from St. Thomas University, Houston, TX, 1977. Sister Rose Mary’s teaching ministries include St. Mary School, Fulton, NY (1954-1958); Epiphany School, St. Louis, MO (1958-1959) (1969-1973); St. Thomas More School, St. Louis, MO (1959-1968); St. Kevin School, St. Louis, MO (1968-1969); and St. James the Greater School, St. Louis, MO (1973-1978). Sister Rose Mary served as Religious Education Coordinator/ Director at St. Robert Parish, St. Charles, MO (1978-1980); St. Joseph Parish, St. Louis, MO (1980-1988); St. David Parish, St. Louis, MO(1988-1990); and Don Bosco Parish, St. Louis, MO (1990-1999). From 1999-2004,Sister Rose Mary was a telephone marketer at Catholic Extension Society and from 2004-2009 an Assistant Librarian at Nerinx High School, St. Louis, MO.

Sister Rose Mary is predeceased by her parents Robert and Catharine Bree Bira; her siblings, Loretto (Harold) Naumann and Stephen (Virginia) Bira. She is survived by her sister, Catharine Diekemper, many nieces and nephews and her Dominican Sisters, Associates and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Sparkill,NY on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 11:30AM a.m. Visitation is Friday, May 31, 2024 from 9:30 to 10:30am at Dominican Convent, 175 Route 340, Sparkill, NY. Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 AM. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery. Arrangements are by Higgins Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Dominican Sisters at the above address, attention – Sr. Irene Ellis, Prioress.