Sr. Rose M O'Rourke

Born in Bronx, NY on April 4, 1937, Marion Rose was the daughter of Michael and Bertha Blanken O’Rourke. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1954 and received the name Sister Rose Michele. She professed her first vows in 1956 and her final vows in 1961.

Sister Rose Michele received her BS in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY, 1959; her MS in Library Science from St John University, NY, in 1965; and an MS in Religious Education from Fordham University, Bronx, NY, in 1973.

Sister Rose Michele taught at St. Agnes Home and School, Sparkill, NY (1956-1958); in the Brooklyn Diocese at St. Teresa School, Woodside, NY (1958-1960) and at St. Mary Magdalen School, Springfield Gardens, NY (1960-1966). In the Archdiocese of New York, Sister Rose Michele taught at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Middletown, NY (1966-1968); St. Anthony School, Bronx, NY (1968-1969); Cathedral High School (1969-1970); and St. Vito School, Mamaroneck, NY (1970-1972). From 1972-1977, Sister Rose Michele taught in the Diocese of Rockville Center at Holy Family School, Hicksville, NY. Returning to ministry in the Archdiocese of New York, Sister Rose Michele taught at Most Precious Blood School, Walden NY (1977-1978). From 1978 until 2018, Sister Rose Michele served in catechetical ministry as Director of Religious Education at Sacred Heart Parish in Monroe, NY.

Sister Rose Michele O’Rourke is predeceased by her parents Michael and Bertha Blanken O’Rourke and her brothers, Thomas and John O’Rourke.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Sparkill, NY on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. Visitation is on Friday, February 22, 2019 from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Dominican Convent, 175 Route 340, Sparkill, NY. 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 –Sister Mary Murray, President.