Sister Mary Rose Fox, CSJ

Sister Mary Rose Fox, CSJ

Sister Mary Rose Fox, CSJ, died peacefully at the Teresian House in Albany on Feb. 3. The daughter of John J. Fox and Clara Lombardi of Catskill, she graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1966 and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, professing her lifelong religious vows in 1969.

Sister Mary Rose began her ministry on the staff of St. Joseph’s Provincial House in Latham. In 1973, having earned a degree in library science from Maria Regina College in Syracuse, she began serving as a librarian at Rome Catholic High School in Rome. In 1987, Sister Mary Rose returned to the Provincial House to minister in the personnel office. Retiring in 2019, she moved to the Teresian House in 2023.

In the years of her ministry as librarian and personnel administrator, Sister Mary Rose demonstrated her competence very well. However, what her sisters remember most is not only her ability but also happiness when asked to help fill a need or solve a problem. When no one else could get the information or assistance needed, Sister Mary Rose always managed to do so.  Her ability to respond to the needs of others always brought Sister Mary Rose the greatest happiness.

Sister Mary Rose maintained close relationships, sharing her life and spirituality with both her dear cousins and her religious sisters. All remember traveling with her to see her beloved New York Yankees or watching a game on television with her. When she retired to the Teresian House, Sister Mary Rose generously donated her prized Yankee memorabilia to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Sister Mary Rose is survived by her cousins who have been so faithful to her, both those in Coxsackie and those who live at a distance. Her parents are deceased, but she will be sorely missed by her family, friends and the Sisters of St. Joseph.

The funeral Mass took place on Feb. 11 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House. Contributions in Sister Mary Rose’s memory may be made to the Office of Mission Advancement, St. Joseph’s Provincial House, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, N.Y., 12110.