Sr. Rosemary Zauss, CSJ

Sister Rosemary Zauss, CSJ died at 3:00 a.m. Friday, November 19, 2010 at St. Joseph Center in Tipton where she has been a resident of Camilla Hall for several years.  She was ready and eager to be with her loving God, to whom she totally dedicated her life and ministry as a Sister of St. Joseph.

Mary Margaret Zauss was born in Sharpsville, Indiana on September 12, 1912, the daughter of Lawrence Zauss and Stella Wilburn Zauss.  Her living siblings include Vincent (Mae) Zauss of Western Springs, IL and Betty (John) Walsh of Madison Heights, MI.  Surviving also are several nieces, nephews, grand and great nieces and nephews, and special friend, Kenn Heydrick.  Brothers and their spouses who have preceded her in death include Meredith, Kenneth, James, Joseph (Eileen Walsh), Eugene and Bernard (Mary Walsh) Zauss. 

Mary Margaret was baptized and educated at St. John’s Parish and School in Tipton and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in Tipton on August 15, 1926.   At the time of receiving the habit, December 31, 1928 she was given the name of Sister Rosemary.  Her first vows were made on December 31, 1930 with final profession of vows on July 2, 1935.                                          

Sr. Rosemary earned a teacher’s license from St. Mary’s College in South Bend; a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Marian College in Indianapolis and a Master of Music Degree from Notre Dame University in South Bend.  In addition to teaching assignments in Winamac and Wabash, she was organist and music teacher at St. Matthew’s Parish and School in South Bend from 1940-46; taught at St. Joseph Academy and St. Joseph Junior College in Tipton from 1947-68 and at St. Patrick’s Parish and School in Kokomo from 1969-90 where she also served as a Parish Visitor and Minister of the Eucharist.   

In 1991 Sr. Rosemary returned to St. Joseph Center in Tipton where she served as organist, musician and liturgist until the past few years when her health began to decline.  Musician and artist, she had tremendous love and concern for others.  Studying, reading and keeping up with global events also fed her spirit and inspired her constant prayer.  

Sister Rosemary is loved and remembered by many students and most especially by her Choramarians, award winning choral group, from St. Joseph Academy.  The recitals, plays, programs and liturgies that she planned, prepared and presented are a great part of her legacy to the Sisters of St. Joseph, her devoted family, students, friends and the Church of the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana. 

God has answered her prayer and called Sr. Rosemary home after a long and dedicated life.  May she now rest in the eternal peace and love of Christ and join in singing the praises of our loving God with all the angels and saints forever and ever.