Obituary of Sister Marilyn Catherine Rosehart

SISTER MARILYN CATHERINE ROSEHART At Parkwood Hospital, London on Thursday, March 24, 2005, Sister Marilyn Rosehart (formerly Sister Edna Marie), of the Community of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Diocese of London, at age 68 years and in her 49th year of religious life. Marilyn is lovingly remembered and will be sadly missed by her sisters in community and by her family. Her sisters and brother have been faithfully with her especially during these past months of her illness. Marilyn is predeceased by her father Paul in 1945, her mother Edna (McElhone) in 2002 and her brother-in-law William Musick in 1971. Besides her sisters and friends in community, she is mourned by her sisters Pat Musick of Dundas, Gerry Dyrkacz and her husband Marvin of Calgary, Alberta, Jean Mech and her husband Bob of Hamilton, Ginny Lasanowski and her husband Stan of Guelph and her brother Paul and wife Sharon of Elora. Many nieces and nephews will remember their aunt as someone who was vitally interested in their lives - Lynn, Michelle, Lisa, Lori, Erica, Paula, Paul, Tom, Mike and Mark. Marilyn's memory and vital spirit will be kept alive for the next generation of great nieces and nephews. They will carry the goodness of her spirit into the future. Marilyn was raised in Simcoe and grew up in a close-knit family where the seeds of responsibility, faith and respect for people were planted. She had training in both administration and in spiritual direction and these gifts led her to administrative work in St. Joseph's Hospital in London and Chatham as well as St. Mary's Hospital. She also served in leadership positions within the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. More recently she worked at St. Joseph's Hospitality Centre where she became friend to so many volunteers and clients alike. Her warmth, sensitive spirit, keen wit and good old-fashioned practicality created many lasting relationships. She had a tenacious sense of what needed to be done and did not let apparent obstacles deter her. Her friends always knew her as someone who supported and encouraged their endeavours. For the last six years she was a co-director at Medaille Spirituality Centre where she enjoyed creating space for others to rest and to reflect. Her sense of the beautiful and her passion for hospitality to others were two strong strands of her own spirituality. Marilyn and those close to her are so appreciative of the many people who were part of the last phase of her journey into God. In particular we wish to extend gratitude to the nursing staff at Parkwood Palliative Care and Dr. John Swift for their day to day care and encouraging words. Dr. Kelly Regan and Dr. Seema Luke played significant roles in getting Marilyn the care that she needed. The Palliative Care Outreach Team were such a wonderful and constant support. Resting at Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse, 1486 Richmond Street, N., London on Monday, March 28, 2005 from 2-5pm and 7-9pm and Tuesday, March 29, 2005 from 9am until 10:15am. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated in Immaculate Conception Chapel, Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse, 1486 Richmond Street, N., London on Tuesday, March 29 at 10:30am. Interment to follow in St. Peter's Cemetery. The Vigil Service will be at Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse on Monday, March 28, 2005 at 7:30pm. At the request of her family and in keeping with Marilyn's spirit, in lieu of flowers, donations to St. Joseph's Hospitality Centre, London, would be appreciated. (John T. Donohue Funeral Home)