Rosarii Cogan

Deceased Sisters

Rosarii Cogan - Ireland
05/11/1924 - 28/03/2017

Sr. Rosarii Cogan, baptised Bridget Mary was born in Heapstown, Riverstown, Co Sligo on 5^th November 1924. She was the sixth child of a family of six girls and one boy. With the death of her father at an early age, her mother had the very difficult task of rearing and educating her children and striving to survive on the family farm. Consequently Sr. Rosarii inherited a strong work ethic together with an extraordinary sense of duty, traits which permeated her personal and spiritual life. She later identified with those same qualities, so evident in the life of our Foundress with whom she had a very special relationship. Idle moments were not her experience , while prayer, the common good and genuine charity held sway in her life.

Sr. Rosarii entered St Brigid’s Noviciate in Carrick on Shannon at 18 years. Her Sr, Margaret had preceded her and later the youngest member of the family Sr. Pauline (Hythe) followed. After Profession Sr. Rosarii served in various community ministries, as sacristan, ministry to the students in the boarding school and also as assistant Novice Mistress.

In 1965 she qualified as a nurse in St. Vincent’s Hospital, located at St Stephens Green, Dublin. The hospital was in walking distance from our Marist hostel, 10 Cambridge Terrace so Rosarii never needed to attend keep fit classes at the gymnasium! As a trained nurse, Rosarii was attached to the staff at St Patrick’s Hospital, Carrick on Shannon which was administered by the Marist Sisters. Here many of our Sisters served on the staff.

In 1970 Rosarii did further studies, in midwifery, at the MMM Hospital in Drogheda, and then returned to St Patrick’s hospital. In 1973 Dr Mc Garry, who worked at the hospital, recognised Rosarii’s potential and requested that she would partner him in pioneering a day care Centre at St Patrick’s hospital. Rosarii answered this exciting challenge and so began a new type of hospital, among the first of its kind in Ireland. Its purpose was to serve the needs of the vulnerable elderly people, often isolated, in the local rural communities. Physical and medical needs were attended to and also a hot meal provided at this centre. This venture grew from the humble enrolment of one elderly lady to 35 people. Soon Sr. Brigid Jane was enlisted to help. Dr Mc Garry’s dream became a reality. Today this Centre of care, comfort and hospitality is as necessary as it was in 1974.

On retirement from St Patrick’s hospital, Rosarii moved to Tubbercurry and for 26 years she became a treasured and inspiring member of prayer and action in our community and parish. Due to her total immobility, Sr Rosarii spent the last year of her life in St Attracta’s Nursing home in Charlestown which was very convenient for regular visits from her Tubbercurry community and also Charlestown community. She had many ‘near death’ experiences and often expressed disappointment that the Lord was not taking her Home. Quietly, on March 28^th 2017, the Lord whom she served so faithfully, called her to her eternal Home. She is buried in the convent cemetery in Tubbercurry.

Among the Saints may she find rest.

Deceased Sisters

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