Sister Marie Colarossi (Sister Lucie Ann), SNJM
August 14, 1935 - February 22, 2013
Obituary
Sister Marie Colarossi (Sister Lucie Ann), SNJM was born August 14, 1935 and died February 22, 2013.
Marie Colarossi was the second child born to Joseph & Emilia Russo Colarossi. Her Father, Joseph came from Italy; her parents met and married in Seattle.
Marie attended Seattle’s Saint Mary’s grade school and Immaculate High School, both staffed by Holy Names Sisters. She entered the Marylhurst, Oregon Novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Names in 1953, making her first vows in 1955.
Coming from a family who appreciated and encouraged music, Marie was given both piano and cello lessons. In her senior year of high school, she played the cello in the Seattle Youth Symphony; becoming a music teacher was a natural for her.
Sister Marie earned a B.A. in Education through Marylhurst & Fort Wright Colleges, a Master of Education at Western Washington University, and an M.A. at the University of San Francisco (Catholic School Administration) and the NCEA Principals Academy. For fifteen years, she served on the West Side Associate Board.
After fifteen years teaching piano and classroom music, Sister Marie’s decision to become a classroom teacher was based upon the exuberant interaction she experienced in classroom situations. For eighteen years, she thoroughly enjoyed teaching fifth graders. Starting an outdoor educational program at two schools, including leadership training, was a highlight. An internship as vice principal was preparation for her next assignment.
For the last fifteen years, a change in ministry to Saint Bernadette Parish School as principal offered challenging and exciting opportunities. She kept an eye toward the future in providing educational enhancements in curriculum, especially technology. The close bond between parish and school families was key to creating an Endowment Fund and improving school facilities. After retiring as principal, Sister Marie remained engaged in Catholic education. Using her fundraising skills, she chaired the next auction. She worked part time for the Seattle Archdioces Fulgrum Program. She also was a part time consultant for principals and a mentor for teachers.
Sister Marie treasured her memories of the students, families and parishioners from Saint Philip Neri, Portland, Sacred Heart and Saint Patrick, Spokane, Holy Family, Auburn, and Saint Anne, Saint Mary’s, Saint Joseph, Holy Rosary and Saint Bernadette, Seattle. Sister Marie loved all of her ministries, valued being in a school with its opportunities to participate in the life of a parish, and passionately believed in Catholic Education.
In addition to her SNJM community members, Marie is survived by her sister Lucy (Bernardo) Salle, six nieces and nephews, and nineteen great nieces and nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, at St. Joseph’s Church in Seattle (18th and Aloha) at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 28, 2013. Internment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane.
Memorial gifts/donations may be made in Sister Marie’s memory to the Sisters of the Holy Names, 2911 West Fort Wright Drive, Spokane, Washington 99224.
God has received a beautiful, loving, caring, generous and tenacious angel. Thank you for everything you did for us and our girls while we were at St. Bernadette, Sister Marie. Thank you for your friendship, love and never ending support and guidance. We will miss you with all our hearts.
-Elaine, David, Morgan and Mackenzie Brand
Thank you for being such a wonderful aunt! I miss you so much already.
Dear Marie, how I cherish memories of giggles and laughter throughout our high school years and sharing of deeper thoughts in maturity, especially the summers you spent at USF. You’re held in my heart with love. Maureen
So enjoyed our many visits together while doing her hair. Such a delight….always positive and upbeat. So thankful for having known you Sister. Know you are Safely Home.
Sharon Zuvela
former St.Bernadette parishoner
Sr. Marie was my mentor and friend. I will miss her kindness,hospitality, and wonderful spirituality.
GOD’S SPECIAL ANGEL!
Marie, you are and will always be one of HIS most beautiful, revered and treasured gifts for me and our family!
Our condolences to Lucy and all of the family.
Jim Sr., Jim Jr., Jane, Jo Anne and John.
Marie loved to take walks especially by Alki Beach. I enjoyed the many times we walked. May you now enjoy God’s peace and plan. You are now free at last. Blessings of strength and courage for your family and Sisters of Holy Names.
You were such a wonderful piano teacher that we cried when you left Sacred Heart in Spokane and we came to visit you across town on the bus. You then kept in touch through the years and knew of my family etc. I became a teacher and we could share. I love you and know you are in a wonderful place. Maybe you could checik in on my daughter, Danielle, and give her my love…..
Auntie, thank you for the gift of last Tuesday. I might have been the last one to see your beautiful smile. I know you knew what I was saying, your eyes twinkled at all the right times! Thank you for all the special days growing up, the Christmas ornament collection with so many one of a kinds, sleep overs in the convent, teaching me how to effectively cover a text book, taking pictures with a purpose, correcting my English, taking brisk walks to get some fresh air and exercise, fostering adventure in life, leading by example and all the other intangibles. We all love you and will miss you, but promise to carry on the best and most treasured traditions you bestowed upon us during your lifetime.
My dearest Aunt, you will be forever 29. Bon voyage.
With so much love,
Monica, Karl, Aurora, and Gabriel
Sister Marie is loved dearly. She will forever be in our hearts, we will keep her alive through our memories. Sister Marie will be missed by many!
Sr. Marie was a an angel on earth all the time I knew her. She was fun to work with and play with. She was an amazing woman.
The staff and students of St. Bernadette Parish School will dearly miss Sr. Marie. She was our school’s rock for 15 years and she will always be remembered as a great leader. We will dedicate our all school mass this Friday 3/1 in her honor.
I will miss you so much. You always credited me with doing things around the St Bernadette school that you wanted accomplished and believe me I did them for just that reason. I felt proud to help in anyway I could. You were always there for me and I cherish the little meetings we used to have. There are just some people you meet in this life that you always want to keep in touch with and you were it for me.
I know exactly where you are right now in Heaven, telling everyone ” How Exciting” everything is. I love you. Sylvia
I have many wonderful memories of Sr. Marie and her always ready smile..ready to give the “new” principal, at the next parish, some support and bits of her wisdom! As a principal being able to work with her was a gift I’ll treasure! I never met someone who worked so hard to support others!! Your gifts linger long after you’ve gone and your work is done!!
God Bless!
Your sufferings are now mere butterflies in God’s vineyard.
We will continue to take “action” pictures for you.
one of the class of IHS 1953
Sister Marie – a person of pure goodness! I will always be grateful for your loving support in so many ways! A treasured memory will be that wink you gave me at our last visit! May God reward you!
To Mrs. Salle, family and Sister’s Community, my heart goes out to you all!
She was one of the great ones, a wonderful teacher to so many of us at Saint Joseph School and a trusted friend to our family. Her ready laugh and smile were always well-timed and appreciated. I will always remember her calming influence in the 5th grade classroom, where we always felt safe and encouraged.
Thank you for that, and for all the happy times, Sister Marie. I am so glad that you were able to meet our boys.
Andy and Keri (and Logan and Max)
Wonderful to have her as my children’s’ principal. Keep watching over all our kids. Thank you for your devoted life.
We love you and will miss you.
Sr. Marie gave me my first teaching job at St. Bernadette many years ago. I will always be grateful to her for giving me a chance as a new teacher, and for her patience, guidance, and relentless support. She was wholly devoted to teaching, a true educator. I offer my sincere sympathy to her sisters and family members. She has left a big legacy in the lives of the many people like me who she has influenced.
With love,
Lynn Herink
To the family of Sr Marie- I knew her as the young nun called Sr Lucy Ann. She was my beloved piano teacher giving me lessons @ the convent & music teacher in the classroom. I began piano lessons at St Anne, Seattle when I was 8 yrs old and continued all through grade school. She had a huge impact on my life, teaching me the skill & art of music, but demonstrating a loving, & kind nature that would forever be my role model. All these years later, I still thank God for the impact she had on my life, especially in my continued music ministry at my local parish.
Kathy Pleas
Sr. Marie,
Thank you for the love, patience, support and guidance you gave to your students, teachers and families at St. Bernadette Parish School. I appreciate your dedication and strong support of Catholic schools. You were an example of how to truly live your faith. I will always remember the twinkle In your eye, smile on your face, and the encouragement you gave me as a teacher, parent and friend. The world was a better place because of you and now you may rest after a lifetime of service to God. Take care my friend.
My deepest sympathies to Sister Marie’s family and Sisters of the Holy Names community. I had the privilege of getting to know her while a parent at Saint Bernadette School. Her gifts of compassion, humor, leadership and faith were an inspiration to us all. And yes, that twinkle in her eye was the special brandmark of her charisma. Now that the Lord has called home His special servant, we can all be grateful for how she touched so many, many lives.
I am so very sorry to hear about Marie. She was my mentor in hiigh school. Her dedication to her students showed in her lovley smile. I have so many loving memories. She was a great friend. She is now amoungst the other angels.
Lucy, Hold tight to those memories Patti Lee Stafford
Oh, Marie, my dear!
Thanks for the memories!
-our lasting friendship
– fun companions on the many NCEA trips
-the laughter and tears we shared-mostly laughter
-the challenges and LOVE of being Catholic School Principals
-the gift of sharing LIFE together
…’til we meet again,God Bless!
Arlene
Marie,
We will miss your smile and loving personality.
God keep you in his care. You are now free!
Sr. Marie’s family and ours goes back many years. She was a true inspiration and a dedicated leader at St. Bernadette. Heaven gained another angel and she is home with her parents and God. Blessings always.
I enjoyed getting to know Marie during her time at St. Joseph’s Residence. Her wonderful smile and greeting are beautiful remembrances. My prayers and sympathy to her family and to her Holy Names’ family.
Marie,
We have fond memories of our times together. You will be missed.
Our deepest sympathy to Lucy and her family.