(1935-2023)

Sister Rosaire McAuliffe, baptized Virginia Kathryn McAuliffe, died on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 88 years of age and in the 68th year of her religious profession: 47 years in the Dominican Sisters of Edmonds, Washington, and in her 21st year in the Adrian Dominican Congregation after the two congregations merged in 2003.

Sister Rosaire was born in Spokane, Washington, to Gene and Sally (Milnor) McAuliffe. She graduated from Holy Angels Academy in Seattle and received a bachelor’s degree in education from Holy Names College in Spokane and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in art from Fort Wright College, also in Spokane. She was also certified in Creation-Centered Spirituality by San Rafael College.

Her entire ministry was in the state of Washington. She spent 16 years teaching in elementary and secondary schools in Aberdeen, Seattle, Bremerton, and Tacoma. In addition, she ministered for three years in religious education in Bremerton and 29 years in retreat and art ministry in Tacoma, Tracyton, and Edmonds. 

Sister Rosaire became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2010. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Patricia Colwell and Sally Jean Shea. She is survived by brothers Jim McAuliffe (Jill) of Seattle and Mike McAuliffe (Marsha) of DuPont, Washington; other loving family members, and her Adrian Dominican Sisters. 

Prayers of Committal were held Friday, August 18, 2023, in the Congregation Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2023, followed by the Ritual of Remembrance at 1:30 p.m. that day in the Rose Room of the Dominican Life Center. Those not attending services in person are welcome to participate via live stream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

 

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

Memorial Mass and Remembrance Recordings

Recording of Sister Rosaire's Memorial Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Rosaire's Ritual of Remembrance - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download."

 

 

Left: Baby Virginia, January 1935; Center: The McAuliffe siblings, from left, Jimmy, Sally Jean, and Virginia Kathryn; Right: Virginia McAuliffe, the future Sister Rosaire, in first grade

Left: Sister Rosaire visits with her mother, Sally McAuliffe, on Mother's Day, 1955; Center: Sister Rosaire McAuliffe; Right: Sally and Gene McAuliffe, Sister Rosaire’s parents, 1960

Left: Sisters Mary Irene Walker and Rosaire McAuliffe enjoy a festive meal in 1995; Center: Center: From left, Sisters Rosaire McAuliffe, Mary Irene Walker, Claudia Morgan, Dorothy L. Berg, and Mina Riggs; Right: From left, Sisters Rosaire McAuliffe and Cele Gorman

1981 Silver Jubilarians from the Edmonds Dominican Sisters community are, standing, from left, Sisters Irene Mandin, Claudia Morgan, Joanne McCauley, and Rosaire McAuliffe, and seated, from left, Sisters Dorothy L. Berg, Maureen Rose, and Lucy Terwelp.

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