SINSINAWA — Dominican Sister Rosemary Smith (Maria Domenica) died April 17, 2009, at the Motherhouse, Sinsinawa. The Mass of Resurrection was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa April 20, 2009, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Rosemary was born March 22, 1925, in Peoria, Ill. Sister Rosemary made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican August 5, 1952, and her final profession August 5, 1955. Sister Rosemary taught 15 years in elementary schools and 17 years in high schools while also serving as the secretary for the Sinsinawa Dominican southwest province for seven years. She ministered as the secretary to the Prioress of the Congregation for eight years; to the principal at Dominican High School, Whitefish Bay, Wis., for three years; to the dean of the school of education, Dominican University, River Forest, Ill., for six years; and to the General Finance Office at the Motherhouse for five years. She served in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Rosemary served as the secretary to the Sinsinawa Dominican southwest province while living in community at the Motherhouse, Sinsinawa, 1983-1985. She ministered as the secretary to then Prioress of the Congregation Kaye Ashe at the Motherhouse, 1986-1994. Sister Rosemary served as support staff in the General Finance Office at the Motherhouse, 2003-2008.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 Cty. Rd. Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or go to www.sinsinawa.org, click on “Donate to Us,” then “Honors and Memorials.”