Rose Marie Mattingly was born to James Robert and Rose Sheeran Mattingly on February 23, 1920, at Hardinsburg, KY. The youngest of eight children, she was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Regina Crumpacker and Eleanor Crizer; and three brothers, Celestine, Harry and James Robert, Jr. She is survived by a sister, Sister Kathleen (Ludovica) Mattingly and a brother, Raphael.

She attended St. Mary Grade School in McQuady, KY and graduated from St. Francis Academy in Owensboro, KY.

At the age of nineteen Rose Marie followed her older sister to the Dominican convent of St. Catharine of Siena. She was professed on August 15, 1941, and received the name Sister Rosa Maria.

Her first teaching assignment was in Cedar Rapids, NE. In March of 1944 she went to St. Teresa School in Lincoln, NE to finish the school year. She then returned to Kentucky where she taught in the rural area at Smith School and St. Dominic School. She also taught at St. Augustine School, Jeffersonville, IN before being assigned as principal of St. Louis Bertrand School, Louisville, KY.

In 1962 Sr. Rosa Maria went to Memphis, TN where she remained until 1994. In Memphis she held positions as principal of St. Dominic School; Diocesan Supervisor; teacher at Bishop Byrne High School; Librarian and Director of the Reading Center at St. Agnes/St. Dominic and Little Flower Schools.

Sr. Rosa Maria received a BA degree in English/Philosophy from Siena College in Memphis; an MA in Reading and an Ed.S in Administration/Supervision from Memphis State University. She was the first woman to receive the latter degree from Memphis State.

Sr. Rosa Maria can best be described as an educator. She was highly respected in her roles as teacher, principal, and supervisor and loved by the pupils she taught. She was always the gracious, dignified lady whether in the educational setting or "at home" with her family or community. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing and serving special meals for the Sisters. She loved music and shared her singing voice in community liturgy.

In 1997, after spending four years at Holy Rosary Convent in Louisville, she retired to Sansbury Care Center. During her years at Sansbury, though she no longer carried on an active ministry, she taught by her quiet, dignified presence.

We rejoice with her as she joins her beloved parents, sister, and brothers, and ask that she commend her Sisters and family here to the love of the Father.

Click here to read about other Sisters and Associates.

Mary Faith O'Malley, OP born to eternal life March 8, 2008

Catherine Gallagher, OP born to eternal life on February 29, 2008

Skip Bender, OPA born to eternal life on December 17, 2007

Sister Mary Anne Guthrie, OP born to eternal life on November 19, 2007

Sister Victoria Brown,EMD born to eternal life on August 26, 2007

Sister Gerorgeanne Sutherland born to eternal life on August 22, 2007

Sister Catherine Roby, OP born to eternal life on May 14, 2007

Sister Ruth Michael O'Toole born to eternal life on April 11, 2007

Nancy Guthrie McKay, OPA  born to eternal life on October 31, 2006

Sister Rosita Colman, OP born to eternal life October 6, 2006

Sister Olivia Lohmoeller, OP born to eternal life September 18, 2006

Sister Dorothy Briggs, OP born to eternal life September 12, 2006

Catherine B. Rose born to eternal life on September 7, 2006

Sister Mary Magdalen Henne, OP (Eucharistic Missionaries of St. Dominic) born to eternal life on August 30, 2006

Sister Mary Augustine Graninger, OP born to eternal life on August 17, 2006

Sister James Vincent Mattingly, OP born to eternal life August 15,2006

Sister Margaret Vincent, OP born to eternal life July 26, 2006

Click here to read about Sisters and Associates who died from July 1, 2005 to June 30,2006.

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