Age 92
Sister Rosemary Petrie, the former Marion Rose Petrie, was a Sister of Mercy for 67 years. After completing SS. Peter and Paul Parochial School, she graduated from Hamburg High School. She became a Registered Nurse from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and a Bachelor of Science from D’Youville College. Sister Rosemary was Chaplaincy Certified at St. Raphael Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut, and earned post-graduate credit from Regis College, Toronto, Canada.
On February 2, 1955, Marion answered God’s call to become a Sister of Mercy. Following her years of spiritual formation and receiving her religious name, Sister Rosemary was assigned to Mercy Hospital and later to Kenmore Mercy Hospital as a Medical and Surgical Supervisor.
Sister Rosemary had always wanted to be a missionary. Her prayers were answered in August 1963 when she traveled to Mindanao, Philippines, and ministered in the Mercy Mission for ten years. Throughout those years, she provided needed service in the Medical Clinic, served as Regional Superior of the Community, and was Administrator of the Health Team. Sister Rosemary was also part of the Clinical Pastoral Education program at Makati Medical Center.
After returning to Western New York, Sister Rosemary accepted the position of Pastoral Care Chaplain at WCA Hospital in Jamestown, New York. Then at the request of Catholic Charities, she supervised the Chautauqua County Outreach to the Aging. She became the first Public Health Nurse at the Talbert Mall Clinic. She again reached out to the elderly when she served as Director of Pastoral Care at Father Baker Manor in Hamburg, New York.
Sister Rosemary’s ring motto sums up her life, “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil, 4:13).