Sister Mary Rose Golden, RDC, a member of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion for 81 years, died peacefully on July 31, 2024 at St Cabrini of Westchester in Dobbs Ferry. Sister was our oldest congregational member, having celebrated her 100th birthday in May 2024.
Sr. Rose was born in New York on May 13, 1924, the daughter of Peter Golden and Anne (McDonald) Golden. She entered the Sisters of the Divine Compassion on September 12, 1943, and professed her final vows on April 23, 1949.
Sr. Rose received her Bachelor’s Degree in English from Good Counsel College. She continued her studies at Fordham University and the College of New Rochelle and received a Master's Degree in Education from St John’s University. Sister also received NYS permanent certification in elementary education.
Sr. Rose’s teaching career began at Good Counsel Elementary School and included St Lawrence O’Toole in Brewster, St. Bernard’s in White Plains, Sacred Heart in Hartsdale, and St. Frances de Chantal in the Bronx. Sister also served as Principal at Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and Good Counsel Elementary School. The names of the places Rose taught and administered serve as placeholders; they don’t do justice to the innovation she brought, the energy she expended and shared, the relationships she developed and the stories for which she is so lovingly remembered.
Rose never really considered retiring. For years after she retired as principal of Good Counsel Elementary School, where she had begun her teaching career in 1947, Rose continued to administer the CCD program at St Patrick’s in Armonk. When she had to give that up because of health issues, Rose continued on as Sacristan at Good Counsel Convent.
The hallmarks of Sr. Rose’s life were her warm presence, gentleness, gratitude, and a quiet joy, exemplified throughout her life and ministries and among the residents, staff, and visitors at St. Cabrini of Westchester.
For Rose, family was everything! Her siblings were her heroes. She would share that her brother, Tom, was a Maryknoll priest, and her sister, Anne, was a Sister of Charity. She would ask, “Can you imagine my sister Rosemary had seven children?” Possibly her favorite role was being “Aunt Peg” to three generations of nieces and nephews. Rose was blessed with the presence of many of them at her 100th birthday party this spring. Their stories reflect a mutual delight.
Sister Rose is survived by her Sisters of the Divine Compassion, her sister Rosemary, her nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and great grandnieces and great grand nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Sr. Anne Golden, SC, and her brother Rev. Thomas Golden, MM.
The wake will be on Tuesday, August 6th from 9:00 to 10:30 at the Chapel of the Divine Compassion, followed by a welcoming service at 10:30.
The funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am in the Chapel of the Divine Compassion. Interment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, White Plains. McMahon, Lyon and Hartnett Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, 52 N. Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603.