Holy Names sisters are among the regular helpers

Holy Names Sisters Dee Marie Reeder, Rose Theresa Costello and Mary Louise DeJulio help with a spring mailing.

Sr. M. Rose Theresa (Dorothy) Costello, SNJM, was among The Fig Tree’s supporters and volunteers for many years, recruiting guests to fill two or more tables for benefit breakfasts and lunches, helping with archives, editing, mailings and many other tasks.

Born in 1918 in Shelby, Mont., she died July 14, 2014.

 After graduating from Holy Names Academy in Spokane, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Names in 1936 and professed her vows in 1938.

After college, she taught in parish schools in Oregon and Washington. She held a bachelor’s degree in education from Marylhurst College and a master’s in geography from the University of Minnesota. 

Her expertise in geography led to her authoring a fifth grade geography workbook published by McGraw-Hill, Sr. Rose Theresa spoke at conventions, and was runner-up for teacher of the year in Washington in 1967.

She was a social studies consultant for elementary and secondary schools in Mesa, Ariz., while there caring for her mother.

By 1990, she had learned to navigate computer intricacies and kept current.  Helping others enjoy possibilities with computers was life-giving for her.  She used those skills in volunteer service.

Sr. Rose Theresa recently celebrated her 75th Jubilee as a Sister of the Holy Names and her 96th birthday.

She had a busy retirement assisting the Women’s Hearth, Our Place Ecumenical Ministries, and The Fig Tree.

Sr. Rose Theresa promoted justice and worked politically to achieve it.

She was frail for only four days before her death at the end of a week in which she participated in a retreat to encourage young women to think about religious life.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Names Retirement Fund, 2911 W. Fort Wright Dr., Spokane, WA 99224.

Copyright © September 2014 - The Fig Tree