Sister Rosemary Lesser, C.S.J., a Sister of St. Joseph, Brentwood, L.I., for 67 years, died Jan. 4.
She entered the congregation in 1948 from St. Benedict Joseph Labre parish, Richmond Hill.
She began studies in deaf education at St. John’s University, Jamaica, and Boston University, followed by certification in advanced methods in deaf education at Canisius College, Buffalo; the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque; and Texas University, Austin, Texas.
In 1979, she was elected president of the New York State Education of the Deaf, where she served until June, 1981.
Her ministries included: St. James, Downtown Brooklyn, 1952- 53; Our Lady of Victory, Bedford-Stuyvesant, 1953-54; St. Patrick, Long Island City, 1954-58; Queen of All Saints, Fort Greene, 1958-60; and St. Mel, Flushing, 1960-62.
For over 20 years, she ministered to the deaf at Cleary School for the Deaf, Ronkonkoma, L.I., 1963-66; and St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf, Crown Heights, 1966-85.
She taught on the collegiate level at St. John’s University, Jamaica, 1985- 87; and St. Joseph College, Clinton Hill, 1987-2011, before retiring.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Maria Regina Chapel, Brentwood, Jan. 8. Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery, Brentwood.
During the years of 1966-1972 it was my good fortune to be associated with Sr. Rosemary. Like the other sisters of St. Joseph, Sr. Rosemary was very professional and dedicated to the families and members ministring in the deaf community. It was my good fortunate to be associated with Sr. Rosemary and the many others in the community of St. Joseph.