Sister Rose Griffin, OSF, (1925-2018)

GRIFFIN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/14/2019 at 08:24:54

Sister Rose Griffin - 92
11/11/1925 - 10/2/2018
Clinton, IA
Sister Rose Griffin age 92 of Clinton, passed away Tuesday Oct. 2, 2018 at The Alverno. A Mass will be celebrated Saturday 10:00 AM Oct. 6th at The Canticle, 841 13th Ave. N., Clinton. Visitation will be held Friday 4 – 8 PM at The Canticle, with the rosary to be recited at 4:00 PM and a prayer service at 6:30 PM. Burial will be held at St. Irenaeus Calvary Cemetery. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting.

Sister Rose Griffin was born on November 11, 1925, in Bird Island, MN, the sixth of ten surviving children of Gerald Francis and Magdalene (Schwiderski) Griffin. She was baptized Rosalia Theresa on November 15, 1925, at St. Mary Church, Bird Island. She had five brothers, and four sisters. Francis (Frank) lives in Chicago, Illinois, and Sister Beatrice Griffin, OSF, lives in Clinton, Iowa. Gerald, Lawrence, Joseph, Ray, Eileen, Mary Ann, and Kathleen are deceased.

Rosalia Theresa received her early education at St. Columbkille School in Varina, IA, and Sacred Heart School in Pocahontas, IA. She graduated from Alvernia High School, Chicago, IL, in 1944. She entered the congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis at Mount St. Clare Convent, Clinton, IA, on September 8, 1944, and received the name Mary Francis Cabrini at her reception on June 18, 1945. She later resumed use of her baptismal name and was known as Sister Rose. She made her first profession on August 12, 1947, and perpetual profession on August 12, 1950.

Sister Rose earned a BA degree in history from St. Ambrose College, Davenport, IA, and an MA and a Ph. D. in Modern European History from St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO. She was certified both as a teacher and as a pastoral minister.

Sister Rose began her teaching career in third grade at St. Patrick’s School in Clinton and taught in grades 2-8 in Chicago, IL, and Maysville, KY. She was a high school English and history teacher in parochial schools in Danbury, IA, and Lexington, NE. After receiving her doctorate, she taught history at Mount St. Clare College in Clinton for several years.

Sister Rose’s service as a pastoral minister began in Kansas City, MO. In 1977, she became the first pastoral minister at The Alverno Health Care Facility in Clinton. She ministered in this capacity for eight years. In 1985, Sister Rose moved to San Jacinto, CA, where she served for six years at Holy Rosary Academy. As assistant principal and librarian, she was dearly loved by children, parents, teachers, and parishioners. She served at Holy Rosary Academy, San Bernardino, CA, for an additional five years.

Sister Rose was a gentle soul who was very grateful for her vocation. She retired at The Canticle in 2002, and moved to The Alverno in January, 2013, where she resided until her death on October 2, 2018.

Besides her two siblings, Frank and Sr. Bea, Sister Rose is survived by her sister-in-law, Ella Mae Griffin, several nieces and nephews, and by her Clinton Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared life for 74 years.

Visitation:

Visitation will be held Friday 4 – 8 PM at The Canticle, with the rosary to be recited at 4:00 PM and a prayer service at 6:30 PM.

Mass:

A Mass will be celebrated Saturday 10:00 AM Oct. 6th at The Canticle, 841 13th Ave. N., Clinton. Burial will be held at St. Irenaeus Calvary Cemetery. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting.