Martin, OP, Sister Rose Marie of Grand Rapids (born in Mt Pleasant, MI) died on November 13, 2018. She was 76 years old and a Dominican Sister for 49 years. Sister Rose Marie earned a B.A. from Central Michigan University and an M.A. from Western Michigan University. Sister Rose Marie began her ministry at the Catholic Central Library in Muskegon and later in Gaylord, followed by four years at Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids and then twenty-nine years at Aquinas College as the technical services director in the library. She was a major player in the huge undertaking of converting the card catalog from analog to a digitized system. Conscientious and serious, Sister Rose Marie was appreciated by her co-workers for her dry sense of humor and thoughtful gestures. Due to health concerns, Sister Rose Marie accepted the need to change to a part-time position and became the director of the Archives at Marywood. With her usual zest for project management, she oversaw the revamping of the archives department, upgraded the cataloging system with state-of-the-art software, saw to the completion of the Legacy Room, worked for the complete renovation and expansion of the archives space at Marywood, and chaired the History Project Task Force toward the publication of the second volume of the story of the Grand Rapids Dominicans. Sister Rose Marie is survived by her brother Gerald (Judy) of Lawrence, MI; nieces, many friends and members of her Dominican community. Sister Rose Marie will repose at Dominican Chapel/Marywood, 2025 Fulton Street East, with visitation on Thursday, November 15 from 6-7 PM followed by a Remembering Service at 7PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 16 at 11 AM at Dominican Chapel/Marywood. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials in Sister Rose Marie Martin’s name may be made to the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters.
