Obituary of Sister Rosemary Petrimoulx

Rosemary Petrimoulx, snjm (Sister Eva May)

She was born on October 15, 1923 in Detroit, MI and died October 9, 2022 in Brighton, MI, just shy of her 99 years well lived. Rosemary was surrounded by her longtime friend, Sr. Frances (Fran)Herrick, snjm and Comfort Keepers at Woodland Village.

The only child of George Joseph and Eva Vanasse, by age 4, Rosemary was the receiver and communicator of messages for her parents who were deaf.

She entered the Congregation of Sisters of Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in Outremont, QC, and made Perpetual Profession in 1949. With extensive educational background, Rosemary was certified in elementary and secondary school administration as well as certified to teach the deaf and she was fluent in French, English, and American Sign Language.

Her years in teaching ministry from 1950 on took her to Tampa, FL, Silver Spring, MD, Washington, DC, Detroit, MI, and Montreal, QC. She is referred to as a “remarkable teacher, mentor, and fun-loving.” Rosemary led groups to Europe at least fifteen times and received a government grant to India.
Her teaching years in Archdiocese of Detroit, earned her Teacher of the Year Award in 1997 and she received an award in “Who’s Who of America’s Teacher” in 1998.

In 2012, Rosemary and Fran moved from Northern, MI to St. Joseph Mercy Seniors Communities of Woodland Village in Brighton, MI. Both continued to serve God by serving the people. They saw the need for a dedicated chapel for Catholic Mass and other denominations. Today, the chapel serves many denominations and is well set up.

In 2015- 2016, Rosemary and Fran affirmed “their commitment to each other in sickness and health, in suffering and in joy, in anxiety and peace.  Without each other, they could not have grown to be who they are today.”  Sisters of Holy Names, Windsor Mission Centre give thanks for gifts of Rosemary throughout her years in the community. Rosemary was creative, energetic, and generous.

Cremation took place in Brighton, MI. in October. Celebration of life will take place on  December 3, 2022 at 10am, at Rosary Chapel - Assumption Church in Windsor, ON. Burial will be at Heavenly Rest Cemetery in Windsor, Ontario in St. Anne’s Section of Sisters of the Holy Names on December 5, 2022 at 2pm. Donation can be made to the Ministries of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Online condolences and cherished memories can be shared at www.windsorchapel.com