Sister Mary Rose Noonan, CSJ, 70

Sister Mary Rose Noonan, CSJ, 70, died Aug. 12 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House in Latham.

Sister Mary Rose was born in Utica on May 20, 1951, the daughter of Edward H. Noonan, Jr., and Kathryn Dwyer Noonan. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 47 years. After graduating from Utica Catholic Academy in 1969 and The College of St. Rose in 1973, Sister Mary Rose entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on Sept. 15, 1973 and professed her final vows on Aug. 15, 1981.

Sister Mary Rose earned a bachelor’s degree in English from The College of St. Rose and a master’s degree in English from the University of Notre Dame. She taught English at Notre Dame High School in Utica and was a youth minister and guidance counselor in several Syracuse diocesan high schools.

In 1985, Sister Mary Rose began her ministry in Albany Province administration and development and, from 1994-2021, served as communication director. Her excellent writing and editing skills enabled Sister Mary Rose to bring the activities of the Albany Province to the wider CSJ congregation, and many others, in print and on digital platforms.

Sister Mary Rose’s amazing spirit only strengthened after her scleroderma diagnosis. She shared her scleroderma journey with others, serving on the Board of the Central New York Chapter of the United Scleroderma Foundation and sharing her story both on TV and in newspaper articles, offering encouragement to families and caregivers of those also affected with this disease.

In addition to her parents, Sister Mary Rose was predeceased by her brother, John. She is survived by her brother, Edward III (Rosemary) and her sisters, Ellen Morelli (Thomas) and Kathryn Noonan (Doug Green). She will live in the memories of her nieces and nephews: Ed (Shannon), Michael, Brian (Megan), Mary Rose (Erik), Jessica (Dave), Thomas (Jenny), Emma (Fode), Max (Alana), Lizzy (Eddie), as well as nine great-nieces and nephews.

Contributions in Sister Mary Rose’s memory may be made to: The Office of Mission Advancement, St. Joseph’s Provincial House, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Rd, Latham, N.Y., 12110 and the Scleroderma Tri-State Chapter Foundation, 59 Front St., Binghamton, N.Y., 3905.