Sister Roseann Rice, OSB died at her home, Mt. St. Benedict Monastery, Erie, PA, on February 13, 2010 after a long illness.

A daughter of the late William and Marie Rowder Rice, Sister Roseann, was a native of Battle Creek, Michigan. She was baptized Sarah Ann – Sally – at St. Philip Church and attended public schools in Battle Creek. After graduation, she worked for a time as a Michigan Bell telephone operator. At that time, operators still actually made connections, spoke with callers and assisted them in many ways. She enjoyed that aspect of her job especially.

Sister Roseann, having developed an interest in religious life, began to explore various communities. She heard of the Benedictine Sisters at St. Marys, PA and visited them. Sister Roseann moved to Northwestern Pennsylvania, became more and more familiar with the community and entered it on December 29, 1959. Sister Roseann made her final profession of Benedictine vows on August 29, 1964.

She devoted the following years to ministry at Kaul Memorial Hospital and at Elk County Christian High School in St Marys. As she worked, prayed and learned more and more, she began more and more to discern her call to the Benedictine Sisters of Erie.

Sister Roseann saw a foundational community in St.Marys and, in the Erie community, an opportunity to “continue on in my journey with new ways and new expressions.” She completed her transfer to the Benedictine Sisters of Erie on October 29 ,1989.

She ministered at St. Mary’s Home and St. Benedict Education Center and at Mount St. Benedict in Erie until she became ill.

Sister Roseann has borne years of illness without complaint, without impatience. She has endured the suffering of these years with the same gentleness, and calm, the same grace that she showed us before her illness. We are enriched by her membership in this Benedictine community.

Preceded in death by her parents, Sister Roseann is survived by her Benedictine community and by her good friends Linda, Monica and Harry Wilson, Russell, PA.

Visiting: Wed., 2:00-7:00PM and Thurs. 2:00-5:00PM at Mount St. Benedict Monastery.. A Service of Memories will be held on Wed., at 7:00PM. Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday at 5:30PM.

Memorials may be made to Benedictine Sisters of Erie 6101 East Lake Road Erie, PA 16511.

A. Brugger & Sons Funeral Home, LLP, 845 East 38 Street in charge of arrangements.