Sister Rosemary Lorenzen

We gather in this sacred space of Maria Regina Chapel to celebrate the beautiful life of Sister Rosemary Lorenzen, formerly Sister Rose LaSalette, a Sister of St. Joseph for 73 fruitful years.

Born to Thomas and Harriet Lorenzen, Rosemary and her sister, Jacqueline had strong Brooklyn roots, attending St. Brendan’s Elementary and High School.  Known as a lively “joiner” Rosemary participated wholeheartedly in school and parish activities where she encountered our CSJ charism lived fully and joyfully in the lives of our sisters, and she responded with great joy.  Rosemary happily entered the Congregation in 1952 along with 72   others  ~  a party that has remained so faithful to each other!

Daily Eucharist anchored Rosemary’s prayer life and her love of the Church.  Rosemary’s ministerial pathway was clear; God called her to teach and teach she did with enthusiasm and passion for the next 33 years of her

life in 6 different elementary schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn.  Rosemary’s love of people enhanced her active presence and full participation in parish life.  Her favorite after-school ministry was pastoral  visitation to the homebound

n 1987 Rosemary responded to a family need and headed south to Florida to care for her ailing parents.  Her loving and compassionate care for her Dad and Mom extended over the next 5 years.  During that time, Rosemary developed a bond with her local parish and school, volunteering her services and developing supportive, enriching relationships that led eventually to a teaching position at Good Shepherd School in Orlando.

Rosemary’s file is filled with laudatory feedback about her Christ-presence and deep spirituality that overflowed in service to many.

Due to her own health concerns, Rosemary joined the community at St. Joseph Convent in 2015, adding her joyful, enthusiastic, and prayerful presence.  Attendance at daily Eucharist was a must ~ with a front row seat always reserved.  Known for her affability, you could never pass Rosemary without her welcome greeting or her asking for a kiss.   As one aide said, she was the perfect mix of sass and sweetness.  She was known to many as Sister Sunshine  (her favorite color was yellow.)  Her sweet tooth knew the difference between sugar free and the real deal.  Rosemary loved life in the Convent and appreciated the compassionate, loving care given to her by Administration, nurses, and aides, and housekeeping.  The recreation staff held a very  special place in Rosemary’s heart and life.  You could always count on Rosemary’s animated participation in every activity that was sprinkled with a hearty laugh and lots of jokes.

Even as Rosemary dealt with her declining health, she always had a twinkle in her eyes and a smile to offer.  Her life had come full circle, and she was at peace.  The promise of the Resurrection was a lived reality.

In closing, I’d like to share a short reflection written with great love by Rosemary’s niece, Colleen and her grandniece, Michele as they sat with her on her journey home to God this past week.

 Reflection

 Today, we gather to celebrate the life of a truly remarkable woman, known to many as Sister Rosemary Lorenzen but also as Aunt Rose to her family ~ someone whose kindness, warmth, and sense of humor made the world a brighter and better place.

She lived her life in service to others and to her faith, dedicating herself fully to God and the people around her.  Through her devotion as a nun, she touched countless hearts, offering comfort, guidance, and love wherever it was needed most.  But beyond her calling, she was a sister, an Aunt, a friend, and a source of laughter and light for all that knew her.

She had a beautiful gift ~ the ability to make everyone she met feel valued and loved.  Whether it was through a gentle word, a simple smile, or a bit of her witty humor, she reminded us that joy can be found even in life’s challenges.  Her faith was deep, but so was her  humanity, and that balance made her presence so special to all of us.

Though we feel the weight of her loss today, we can also find comfort in knowing that her spirit lives on in the sunsets she loved so much, in our memories and in the lessons she taught us, and in the love she so freely gave.

As we say goodbye, let us honor her by carrying forward her kindness, her faith, and her laughter in our own lives.  In this way, her light will never fade, and she will always remain with us ~ guiding us, loving us, and watching over us.

Sister Rosemary Lorenzen, the former Sister Rose LaSalette , died on September 1, 2025 in the 73rd year of her religious life.