Sister Rose Lanzone, CSJ

The reading that Rose chose for today celebration states, “There is a time for everything.” This is the time to celebrate the life of Rose Lanzone- Sister Maria Fatima- a Sister of St. Joseph for 73 years.

Rose was a beach girl. She was born to Jennie and Joseph into a family of six children- 4 girls and 2 boys in Rockaway. She went to our St. Mary Star of the Sea and was one of the first graduates of Stella Maris.  Rose entered the congregation in September 1947.

She received a bachelor’s degree from St. Francis College and then earned two masters degrees from Fordham University.  Her ministry took her to Our Lady of Victory, SS Peter and Paul, St. Martin de Porres, Our Lady of Perpetual Schools just to name a few.  Her concern was always for the welfare of the children whom she taught.  She was always available to them.   In later years, she took her gifts in pastoral ministry and work with senior citizens.

Wherever Rose went, she lived in what we would call- in a gentle, befriending manner.

Frequently- we have a service during a wake for a sister and we ask people to speak about who the sister was to them.  So, I asked several people to reflect on the Rose Lanzone that they knew.  Their words paint the picture of this wonderful woman…

She was lovely, kind, wise, uncomplicated- if she knew it, she said it. If she didn’t, she asked.

Generous, helpful and considerate-

Welcomed all with a smile-even if you were late for prayers!

She was a great cook- her sauce was the best!!

Grateful- grateful for everything-

Grateful to her family for their love-

Grateful to the congregation for the education that she had the opportunity to receive-

Grateful to the aides and workers at Sacred Heart for all that they did for her-

One of the aides told a sister at Sacred Heart that she will miss Rose because she brought such peace.

Rose had a deep faith and trust in God.  She believed God would answer her prayers.

Rose chose the phrase that is written in the mass booklet: “I lived a wonderful life- God was so good to me.”

Rose, that is true – you lived a wonderful life and God was good to you. We, Sisters of St. Joseph, could say- God was so good to us to gift us with Rose Lanzone as our Sister.

Sister Rose Lanzone, CSJ died on February 3, 2021 in the 74th year of her religious life.