A memorial Mass for Sister Rose Mary Ryan was celebrated Feb. 27 at School Sisters of Notre Dame Theresa Center chapel in south St. Louis County.
Sister Rose Mary, 77, died Feb. 22 at Anna House in Bridgeton. She was a former primary and early childhood educator.
Sister Rose Mary was born in Alton, Ill. She entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1958 and professed first vows in 1960 and final vows in 1966.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in American studies from the former Notre Dame College in St. Louis in 1962 and a master’s degree in education from Xavier University in Cincinnati in 1976.
Sister Rose Mary began her teaching ministry at Sacred Heart School in Valley Park in 1962. This was followed by teaching positions in Missouri at St. Gabriel School in St. Louis, St. Ignatius in Marthasville, St. Joseph in Westphalia, St. Joseph in Manchester and Assumption in O’Fallon. She was administrator of Notre Dame Preschool in St. Louis from 1979-82. She began the preschool at St. Mary in Belleville, Ill., in 1982 and served as its director. She also began the preschool at All Saints Academy in Breese, Ill. After a sabbatical, she volunteered at Notre Dame Preschool and tutored at St. Vincent, both in St. Louis.
Sister Rose Mary was awarded the Maryville College Duchesne Award for Meritorious Service in the field of elementary education in 1973.
After living for three years at Sancta Maria in Ripa, she moved to Anna House in 2010.
Survivors include her brother, Robert Ryan of St. Charles. Burial was in the Sancta Maria in Ripa cemetery in south St. Louis County.
