Sister Mary Rose Watkins

Sister Mary Rose Watkins, OSF, of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany died August 17, 2008 at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Born Alberta Catherine Watkins January 20, 1933 in Somers Point, NJ., she was a daughter of Alberta Seabold Watkins and Francis Watkins formerly of Atlantic City, NJ. She was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on August 15, 1952, and professed her final religious vows on August 16, 1959. Sister Mary Rose faithfully lived the Mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany reflecting her experience of God's love as a gifted poet. Throughout her life Sr. Mary Rose's poetry inspired many with reflections on her Franciscan spirituality and love for all of creation. Sister Mary Rose's ministry was in the area of education. From 1956 until 1971 Sister ministered as a teacher at Corpus Christi School, Miami, FL; Christ the King School, Snyder, NY; St. Francis of Assisi School, Triangle, VA; Mt. Alvernia School, Montego Bay, Jamaica, West Indies; and Alvernia School, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. In 1971 Sister Mary Rose was Principal and teacher at Marymount High School in Highgate, Jamaica, West Indies; and next served as Principal at Bishop Verot High School, Fort Myers, FL from 1980 to 1982. She then returned to the classroom at St. John the Baptist High School, West Islip, NY. Next, Sister Mary Rose was named Assistant Principal at Phillipsburg Catholic High School, Phillipsburg, NJ in 1987 and then served as Assistant Superintendent of Schools in the Metuchen Diocese from 1988 to 1999. Until her death, Sister Mary Rose ministered as an Educational Consultant. Sister Mary Rose received her B.A. and M.Ed. from St. Bonaventure University. Sister Mary Rose was predeceased by her parents and brother, Albert Colman. Her survivors include her sisters Joan Watkins, Marion Lavis, Kathleen Gallagher; and her brothers Francis Watkins, William Watkins, Howard Watkins, Kenneth Watkins, Joseph Watkins, and Coleman Watkins. A Wake Service is scheduled on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse at 10:00 AM, Thursday, August 21, 2008. Interment will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, New York. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 East State Street, Olean, New York.