Sr. Rosemary Tierney, CSJ, entered eternal life on July 14 at the age of 89. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for her in Kalamazoo on July 18.

Sr. Tierney was born on January 28, 1930 in Lincoln Park, Michigan, the daughter of Michael and Martha (Howe) Tierney. She was a member of St. Mary’s Parish in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on September 8, 1948.  She received the name Sister Rose Michael at her reception on July 2, 1949, but later returned to the use of her baptismal name.  She pronounced first vows on July 2, 1951 and final vows on July 2, 1954.

Sister Rosemary received her B.A. Degree from Nazareth College in 1964 with a major in Spanish and a minor in English, Elementary Curriculum.  Sister Rosemary began her ministry of education at St. Veronica’s in East Detroit, Michigan.  She also taught at St. Joseph, Lake Orion, St. Joseph, Watervliet and St. Rose, Hastings, both in the Diocese of Kalamazoo.  From 1967-1979 Sister Rosemary was a Pastoral Minister at Vista Alegre in Nasca, Peru. Upon her return to the United States and for the next 18 years, Sister Rosemary continued her Hispanic ministry with the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Spanish ministry to residents and migrants.  In 1997, Sister Rosemary began the Immigration Assistance Project, Hispanic American Council in Kalamazoo until 2004. She continued to volunteer with the program until her health forced her to “let go.”

Rosemary expressed that she felt privileged to have worked, lived, prayed with, cried and rejoiced with the Hispanic Community most of her life. In her jubilee celebration she thanked them for “having allowed me into your eyes”.

During her last month of life, Rosemary spoke of her appreciation for the loving support of her beloved family who were always there with her in any way possible. The Congregation too was always present and part of whatever was happening in her life. Rosemary used the words of 1 John 4:12.