Rose Josephine Byrne, SP
July 22, 1924 - February 18, 2018
Obituary
Sister Rose Byrne, age 93, a Sister of Providence for 69 years, died February 18, 2018, at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, WA. Vigil Service: Sunday, February 25, 2018, at 6:30 PM, and Funeral Mass: Monday, February 26, 2018, at 11:00 AM, both at St. Joseph Residence, 4800 37th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Seattle, WA, after Mass and reception. Bonney Watson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Rose Josephine Byrne was born July 22, 1924 to Patrick and Bridget (Condron) Byrne, in Ballinahown, County Offaly, Ireland. She was the second oldest of six children. Rose entered the Sisters of Providence in July 1948 at Mount St. Vincent, Seattle, Washington, and in January 1949, she became a novice. In July 1950 she professed first vows and received the name Sister Kevin, and in July 1953 she professed final vows.
In 1950 Rose was a companion at St. Vincent Home for the Aged in Seattle, WA. She graduated in 1953 from St. Patrick High School, Walla Walla, WA. In 1965, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education and social studies from the College of Great Falls, now the University of Providence in Great Falls, MT. Sister Rose received her Masters of Education degree in June 1971 from Seattle University; and in September she earned American Studies Teaching credentials from UCLA, CA. In 1993 Sr. Rose received diplomas in Religious Studies from St. Patrick’s College, a Pontifical University, Maynooth County, Kildare, and from the International Summer School, Trinity College, Dublin, in Ireland.
Sister Rose’s first ministry of 25 years from 1953-78 was in education as an elementary teacher in Washington: Yakima – St. Joseph Academy and St. Joseph Grade School; Seattle – Holy Family School; Vancouver – St. Joseph School; and Moxee – Holy Rosary School. In California: Sun Valley – Our Lady of the Holy Rosary School; Pasadena – St. Philip the Apostle School; Temple City – St. Luke Catholic School; and Burbank – St. Francis Xavier School, and then St. Finbar School, where she concluded her teaching ministry.
After her clinical pastoral education in 1979-80, Sr. Rose became a pastoral care associate at St. Joseph Medical Center, Burbank, for a short time. Then from 1981-92, and 1993-97 Sr. Rose served as Director of Ministry to the sick and elderly at St. Patrick Parish in North Hollywood, CA.
From 1998-2014 Sr. Rose was the representative for the Sisters of Providence at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center and Providence St. Elizabeth’s Care Center. She worked with the Foundation department at both medical centers, providing a “sister presence” in addition to attending funerals, meetings and events at which she delivered invocations, prayers and reflections that she composed herself. She also conducted hospital visits to the sick and their families as well as visits to staff and employees.
On January 6, 2015 Sr. Rose received a Certificate of Recognition from the City of Burbank for her work with the Sisters of Providence, and Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, and her years of charitable service and the positive impact she had on the city of Burbank. Shortly after Sr. Rose retired and moved to St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, where she continued to share spiritual wisdom with those around her. She enjoyed visiting with friends and her sisters in community.
Sr. Rose is preceded in death by her parents, brother, John; and sisters, Anne Maguire, Dympna Ryan, and Mary and Philomena (twins). She is survived by nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057-9016. To view Sr. Rose’s obituary and picture and to sign her memory book, please visit the website for Bonney-Watson Funeral Home at www.bonneywatson.com
Prayers for her kind soul.