Rosemary Coffey, CSJP (1941-2022)

Rosemary Coffey was born on July 16, 1941, the first of three children of Thomas Coffey and Helen Margaret (Blaney) Coffey.

Rosemary entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood on September 8, 1959, as a postulant, became a novice on June 10, 1960, and pronounced Final Vows on August 30, 1965. She was a member of this Diocesan Congregation for more than 40 years.

Sister Rosemary earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education at St. Joseph’s College, Brentwood, New York, a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Brooklyn College and obtained certification in Administration and Supervision from Fordham University.

In 1997 Sister Rosemary began working in Jersey City with members of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. After a three-year discernment process, she transferred Perpetual Vows to the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace on September 13, 2003.

Sister Rosemary taught in numerous Catholic Schools in Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau counties in New York. She was a director at various child day care centers in New York before joining the staff at the Nurturing Place in Jersey City, New Jersey. She retired as Director of St. Joseph’s Home in Jersey City in 2013. Throughout her years of ministry, she was dedicated to the improvement of the lives of impoverished women and children living in an inner-city environment.

After a few days on hospice care, Sister Rosemary died peacefully, on April 28, 2022. A combined memorial service and liturgy of Christian burial was held on May 6, 2022, at St. Michael Villa in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Sister Rosemary was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey.

Sister Rosemary was predeceased by her sister, Helen Margaret Coffey, in 2001 and a newborn brother, Thomas, in 1942. She is survived by her brother, Martin Coffey, as well as many cousins–the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of her father’s eight and mother’s six siblings.