Sister Regina Suzanne McAuley, C.S.J., formerly Sister Regina Rosaire, a Sister of St. Joseph, Brentwood, for 69 years, died on March 1, at Maria Regina Residence.

     She lived her mission as an educator and in the Human Services field; she ministered for 10 years coordinating volunteer services at Mercy Hospital with our Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor. Sister Regina was recognized as a Woman of Distinction by New York State Senator Caesar Trunzo in June 2004.

Sister Regina was born in Queens and attended St. Clement Pope elementary school and Our Lady of Wisdom Academy. She then attended Queens College. She entered the congregation in 1951 from St. Clement Pope parish, South Ozone Park.

Sister Regina earned a BS degree in Social Studies (cum laude) from St. John’s University; an MA degree in History from Manhattan College and a second MA degree in Pastoral Ministry from St. Joseph’s College (West Hartford, CT).

Her ministries included: St. Joseph, Prospect Heights (1953-1959}; Nativity of Our Blessed Lord, Brooklyn (1959-1961); Our Lady of Lourdes, Bushwick (1961-1962); Our Lady of Good Counsel (1962-1965); St. Benedict Joseph Labre, Richmond Hill (1965-1966); Our Lady of Victory, Floral Park (1966-1968); Sacred Heart Academy HS, Hempstead (1968-1973); Holy Family HS, South Huntington (1973-1975); St. Sylvester, Medford (1975-1976); St.Thomas More, Hauppauge (1976-1982); Our Lady of Lourdes, West Islip (1982-1990); Parish  Outreach, Rockville Centre Diocese, Coordinator/Volunteer Services (Mercy Hospital).

Among her many awards, Sister Regina was also recognized as a Habitat for Humanity Volunteer of the year (2005). She was also President of Suffolk County Inter-Agency Community Council.

Her funeral Mass was offered on March 7 at Maria Regina Chapel. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery, Brentwood.