Sister Rose Donohoe celebrates 70 years as a CSJP

Sister Rose Donohoe opens a gift at a Jubilee celebration hosted by Visitation Parish on April 22nd, 2007

Sister Rose at the Jubilee celebration, June 9th, 2007

Sister Rose Donohoe (Sister Columba) came to the Bellingham novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace from her rural home in County Leitrim, crossing the ocean and the continent to enter the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in 1937. 

Sr. Rose taught in Catholic schools for 34 years, beginning at St. Therese, Seattle, where her first class had 20 boys and one girl.  She also taught in Bellevue, Longview, Mercer Island, Mount Vernon and Port Angeles, Washington; Nelson and Fernie, British Columbia; Sylmar, California; and Corvallis, Oregon and was Principal in Corvallis, Seattle and Trail, B.C. Sr. Rose earned a B.A. from Holy Names College, Spokane, an M.S. in Library Science from  Portland U. and a M.Ed. from Seattle U. 

After her many years in the classroom, Sr. Rose retired from teaching and moved to Tacoma in 1984 to begin a new life in parish ministry, first at All Saints, Puyallup, where she headed the RCIA program, and then at Visitation Parish, Tacoma, where she led Outreach Ministry.  Her pastoral visits took her to nursing homes, hospitals, and the homes of shut-in parish members; everywhere she went, Sr. Rose brought her gentle smile and cheerful presence.  This spring, Sr. Rose retired for a second time, moving to St. Mary-on-the-Lake in Bellevue.  She says, “I have enjoyed my 70 years as a sister immensely.   I have enjoyed working with people, encouraging them, and answering their questions, and I had fun doing it all.  Thanks to all those who helped me celebrate this Jubilee.”

Sr. Rose with family and friends from Tacoma at the reception.

Sr. Rose and Sr. Andrea Nenzel at the Visitation Parish celebration.