Sister Roberta Rorke - Mary of the Holy Trinity
February 8, 1933 - January 9, 2025
Obituary
(Mary of the Holy Trinity)
Sister Roberta Rorke (Sister Mary of the Holy Trinity), age 91, a Sister of Providence for 67 years, died January 9, 2025 at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, Wash. Vigil: Friday, February 7, 2025, 4:00pm, St. Joseph Residence, 4800 37th Ave. SW, Seattle, Wash. Mass: Saturday, February 8, 2025, 11:00am, St. Joseph Residence. Bonney Watson Funeral Home oversees arrangements.
Sister Roberta was born on February 8, 1933 in Yakima, Wash. to the family of Edward and Josephyn Rorke. She had two brothers, Michael and John, and a sister, Jean. In Yakima, she attended St. Paul Grade School and St. Joseph Academy, graduating high school in 1950. She then attended College of Great Falls (now University of Providence), and then transferred to Seattle University, receiving a BA in Philosophy in 1953. As a lifelong learner, Sister Roberta held MA degrees in history, University of Washington (1966), and theology, St. Michael’s College, Winooski, Vermont, (1989).
Sister Roberta decided to enter the Sisters of Providence community in 1956, becoming a Novice in 1957, receiving First Vows in 1958, and Final Vows in 1963.
As a dedicated educator, Sister Roberta taught in many schools: Providence Academy, Vancouver, Wash. (1954-56); Seattle University, summer of 1962 and 1964; Blanchet High School, Seattle (1958-60, 1964-68, 1969-70); St. Joseph Academy, Yakima (1960-64); College of Great Falls (now University of Providence) (1971-73); Fort Wright College, Spokane (1973-75); Carroll High School, Yakima (1976-79); and Heritage University, Toppenish, Wash. (1993-95). She also served in religious community leadership as a General Councilor of the Sisters of Providence, General Administration, Montreal (1982-92), Provincial Superior of her community (1996-2000), and as a member of the Provinces’ leadership team (2000-2005). Other ministries included: religious community service, serving on numerous teams and committees, and as a volunteer.
She made an impression because of her high intellect, beautiful smile, deep spirituality, her love and acceptance of others, and broad realm of interests and knowledge. She had a passion that lived in her heart for her students, the poor, and fighting injustices. Sister Roberta loved to travel and was truly a citizen of the world, visiting the Philippines, Egypt, Chile, Argentina, Haiti and Cameroon. She also loved to garden and read and would join any group for a competitive game of Skip-Bo. The Rorke motto in her ancestral Ireland is “I serve by governing,” but she says, “I can reverse it: I govern by serving.” She is deeply missed.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Michael and sister, Joan. She is survived by her brother, John Rorke, sister-in-law Marlene Rorke, niece, Thea Sanderson, nephew, Sean Rorke, and by the Sisters in her community.
To view Sister Roberta’s obituary and picture and to sign her memory book, please visit the website for Bonney-Watson Funeral Home at www.bonneywatson.com.
I was fortunate to have been called and share the Providence ministry with Sister Roberta for many years. Her intellect, compassion and commitment to the poor and vulnerable were both inspirational and a role model. When challenged by difficulties, she would remind me to always keep the needs of those we serve as our primary focus and always do the right things. The Sisters of Providence have served for decades with a selfless attitude through many challenges. Sister Roberta was a shining light of that mission. Our prayers for her and all Sisters of Providence.
Thank you for sharing your brilliance and beautiful smile. You were a great teacher and true friend. Your obituary didn’t mention that you went to Quernavaca, Mexico, where you learned about Liberation Theology. You returned and set about putting it into action. Once again, you give a wake-up call to us to practice social justice. Good God give us strength and courage to help our poor brothers and sisters…so many in need.