Obituary of Sr. Rosemary Reilly CSJ

Latham- Sister Rosemary Reilly, CSJ, (Sister Edwin Marie), 84, died Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Albany Medical Center. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 54 years. Sister Rosemary was born on May 31, 1930, in Utica, NY, daughter of the late Thomas and Agnes Lamphear Reilly. After graduating from Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School and Utica Catholic Academy, Sister Rosemary worked for 12 years as a secretary and office worker at the Utica Observer Dispatch. On March 20, 1961, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, professed first vows on March 19, 1963, and professed final vows on August 6, 1968. For 16 years, Sister Rosemary served as school secretary in schools in the Albany and Syracuse Dioceses, including St. Mary's Academy, Glens Falls; Keveny Memorial Academy, Cohoes; and Rome Catholic Junior High School, Rome, NY. For nearly 40 years, Sister Rosemary served in various in-service positions at St. Joseph's Provincial House as a driver, nurse's aide, food-service supervisor, health-unit secretary and administrative assistant for the infirmary floors. Sister Rosemary retired from her administrative assistant position only a month ago. Sister Rosemary was a woman of prayer and a devoted sister, aunt and friend. She enjoyed gardening, especially in the courtyard of the Provincial House where she planted and tended her exquisite rose bushes for many years. An accomplished photographer, Sister Rosemary brought the beauties of God's creation to life through her images. She loved to travel, vacationing with her friends each summer for 40 years in Cape Cod where she enjoyed walking the beaches, listening to the waves and photographing the stunning sunsets. Sister Rosemary was an unassuming, thoughtful and prayerful woman whose life was characterized by a deep love of her faith, her family and her friends and an ever-present concern for the well-being of others. She leaves us a legacy of unselfish love and sincere kindness to all. Sister Rosemary is survived by her beloved sisters, Marie Lloyd of Utica, and Lenora (Ralph) Clark of Concord, NC; by her nieces and nephews: Jeff (Mary) Lloyd, Tom (Terry) Lloyd, David (Sue) Lloyd, Kathleen Lloyd, Gail (Michael) Davis, Kenneth (Judy) Clark, Don Clark, Robert Clark and Judy (William) Sullivan; and by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, with special mention of her treasured friend, Sister Jean Hart. In addition to her parents, Sister Rosemary was predeceased by her brothers, Edwin and Raymond Reilly; by her brother-in-law, Douglas Lloyd; by her sister-in-law, Zelie Reilly; by her infant niece, Pam Lloyd; by her grandnephew, John Lloyd; and by many friends in the Sisters of St. Joseph, including her dear friends, Sister Ann Bernadine Sherlock and Sister Margaret Fogarty. Sister Rosemary's funeral Liturgy will be held on Thursday, May 28, at 9:00 a.m. from the chapel of St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. Interment will be in Our Lady Queen of Virgins Cemetery on the Provincial House grounds. Calling hours will be held at the Provincial House on Wednesday, May 27, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Contributions in Sister Rosemary's memory may be made to the Development Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110. For directions, information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.