Sister Rosemary Murphy, 1924 - 2020

Sister Rosemary Murphy, O.S.B., 95, of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Ill., passed away Thursday May 28, 2020 at St. Mary Monastery.

Due to public gathering restrictions, a private Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 1, in the chapel of St. Mary Monastery, and live-streamed by the monastery. A private Christian wake service will be Sunday, May 31, at the monastery. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan, Ill., is assisting with arrangements. Memorials may be made to St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island.

Rosemary Murphy was born August 7, 1924 in Keokuk, Iowa, a daughter of Miles and Rose (McNally) Murphy. She attended Lincoln School, Carthage, Ill., and St. Mary’s Academy, Nauvoo, Ill. She continued her education at Marycrest College, Davenport, Iowa, and received her master’s degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign, Ill. Sister Rosemary Murphy entered the Benedictine community on September 8, 1943, and made her final profession on August 23, 1948.

Sister Rosemary’s ministry included many years serving as a teacher and Dean of Students at St. Mary’s Academy, St. Mary’s Grade School, Nauvoo, Bergan High School, Peoria, Ill, and as Monastery Kitchen Manager. She also served as house mother for a sorority at Bradley University, Peoria and at St. Peter & Paul Grade School, Nauvoo.

Sister Rosemary is survived by her Benedictine Sisters; sisters, Sister Margaret Murphy, O.S.B., and Patricia Gaughan; and many nieces and nephews.

Sister was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Myles and Thomas; and sisters, Kathleen O’Donnell and Mary Anne McHugh.

Online condolences may be left at wheelanpressly.com