Sister Rose Cecile Smith, CSJ
December 7, 1921 – October 8, 2008
Those who instruct others unto justice shall shine as the stars of heaven for all eternity. Daniel 12:3
In the radiant glory of eternal splendor, just as the leaves were beginning to take on a flaming red and golden loveliness, Sister Rose Cecile was called to her everlasting home. For days she had waited quietly and peacefully for Christ’s coming, and now, at last, she was entering her heavenly home just as the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary was drawing to a close. This was God’s well-timed plan, too, since all her religious life Sister Rose Cecile had prayed the rosary daily as she meditated on the mysteries of God’s tremendous love.
Dorothy Elaine, the daughter of Elizabeth Martyn and Walter E. Smith, was born on December 7, 1921 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Dorothy and her younger brother, Donald, grew up in Holy Family Parish, St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Dorothy’s early education was in the local elementary school in St. Louis Park. When she reached junior high, her parents enrolled her in the Basilica School in Minneapolis. Her high school years were spent at St. Margaret’s Academy in the “old building”, a place she dearly loved all through the years.
Following her heart’s desire and encouraged by her parents and Sister teachers, Dorothy entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet on February 2, 1940, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. As was customary in those years, she received the habit on the feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1940, and was given her religious name, Sister Rose Cecile. Sister made her first vows on August 15, 1942, and pronounced her final vows on August 15, 1945.
With her first mission to St. Vincent’s School in 1942, Sister began her teaching ministry in Catholic education, a commitment that extended over a period of more than forty years. As a well-prepared, kind and enthusiastic educator, Sister Rose Cecile taught in elementary schools within the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the Diocese of New Ulm. Her missions included St. Vincent, St. Columba, St. Luke and St. Patrick in St. Paul; Christ the King, St. Charles Borromeo and Good Shepherd in Minneapolis; St. Mary, Graceville and St. Joseph, Hopkins. In addition to her classroom teaching in grades one through six, Sister Rose Cecile served as the school librarian at St. Columba, 1983-1989. All through the years, Sister took time to listen attentively to her students’ concerns, encouraged children who were struggling, and discovered a remarkable inner goodness in each child.
As for her professional background, Sister Rose Cecile was graduated from the Diocesan Teachers College. In 1955, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of St. Catherine, and in 1961 she received her Master of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame. Summertime enrichment courses included mathematics workshops and leadership courses in religious education at the College. With a deep sense of gratitude, Sister Rose Cecile often spoke of her CSJ teachers, especially those who taught at the “old St. Margaret’s Academy”.
When St. Columba’s Convent closed, Sister Rose Cecile and her good friend, Sister Charles Mary Maca, moved to a downtown low-income apartment close to St. Joseph’s Hospital. Due to failing health, both sisters came to Bethany in November 1999.
Sister Rose Cecile died peacefully at Bethany on October 8, 2008. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in the Bethany Chapel on Friday evening, October 10, 2008.
Sister Rose Cecile is survived by her cousin, Sister Aline Baumgartner, CSJ, her niece Theresa Jorgenson (John), nephews: Charles (Lori) and Donald (Christine), many great and great grand nieces and nephews and the Sisters of St. Joseph and consociates.
May she rest in peace.
