Sister Rosemary Connelly of Misericordia Heart of Mercy on Chicago's South Side dies at 94
The Misericordia Foundation announced the passing of the woman who dedicated her life to helping people with disabilities.
Sister Rosemary Connelly died Thursday night at the age of 94 after a short time in hospice.
Sister Connelly was appointed administrator of Misericordia Heart of Mercy on Chicago's South Side in 1969. At that time, there were no services for children with disabilities.
For 56 years, she led the organization in creating programs and opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Currently, Misericordia serves more than 600 children and adults.
In 2023, she was awarded the University of Notre Dame's Laetare Medal, considered the oldest and most prestigious honor given to an American catholic.
Cardinal Blase Cupich released a statement after her death, writing in part, "While she received numerous awards for her work, we will remember Sister Rosemary foremost as the heart of the Heart of Mercy. We vow to carry on her work and invite all to join us. In this month when we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we give thanks to God for Sister Rosemary's heart, her amazing life, outstanding leadership, and steadfast love."
Sister Connelly's visitation will be held Monday from 1 to 8 p.m. at Misericordia Home, 6300 N. Ridge Ave. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., at 10 a.m.
Full statement from Cardinal Blase Cupich
Last night, Sister Rosemary Connelly, RSM who devoted her life to serving our sisters and brothers went home to our Father. For more than seven decades as a religious Sister of Mercy, Sister Rosemary gave proof to the principle that every person is created in God's image and worthy of respect and dignity. A fearless pioneer in making that core value real in the lives of the people she served and their families, she created innovative programs and gathered the resources to bring them to life. Renowned for her indefatigable work ethic, she was an irresistible advocate who raised awareness about the challenges and inequities facing people with disabilities. In doing so, she altered the existing paradigm, shaking society from prejudices that had governed decisions for centuries.
Sr. Rosemary enlisted many thousands to support her mission. She changed their minds and opened their hearts and taught them to see people with disabilities as worthy of everything they needed to live fully. It was simply hard to say no to Sister Rosemary because she was not asking for herself, she was asking for common human decency toward people often seen as "less than" or "other."
While she received numerous awards for her work, we will remember Sister Rosemary foremost as the heart of the Heart of Mercy. We vow to carry on her work and invite all to join us. In this month when we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we give thanks to God for Sister Rosemary's heart, her amazing life, outstanding leadership, and steadfast love.
