SISTER ROSEMARY FLEMING, SC, age 86, who died at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Greensburg, on December 1, 2021. Born in Pittsburgh, Sister Rosemary entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on January 1, 1967, from Saint Kieran parish in Lawrenceville. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas H. and Margaret L. (Merriman) Fleming, two brothers: John M. and Thomas H. Jr., and two sisters: Mrs. Joan (Bernard) Churilla, Mrs. Margaret (Joseph) Galla. She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Ellen (Roy) Bongartz, and nieces and nephews. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Seton Hill University and a master’s degree in parish social ministry from Seattle University, Seattle, WA. A dedicated parish social worker, Sister Rosemary ministered as a staff member of the adult religious development program in the Diocese of Greensburg from 1970 to 1971, and from 1971 to 1972. She was affiliated with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and served in the Allegheny County social service department. From 1971 to 1973, Sister Rosemary helped establish and administer, for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Roselia Manor, an extension of the former Roselia Foundling and Maternity Hospital, which was owned and staffed by the Sisters of Charity for eighty years. From 1973 until 2010, Sister Rosemary was the spiritual Sister-moderator for the Ladies of Charity in the Pittsburgh Diocese. In 1976, she was appointed a board member of the Pittsburgh diocesan organization FANN (Fund to Aid Neighbors in Need), a position she held until 1987. As a parish social minister, she aided people of St. Joseph, Port Vue (1973 – 1975), St. Luke, Carnegie (1975 – 1988), St. Joseph, Hilltop (1989 – 1994), St. John Vianney (1994 – 2002), St. Killian (2002 – 2005) and St. Sylvester, Brentwood (2005 – 2013). She retired in 2013 to Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill. In 2003, Sister Rosemary received the Manifesting the Kingdom award presented by the Bishop of Pittsburgh to those individuals who “demonstrate the presence of Jesus in their lives and have participated in an exceptional way in showing forth the kingdom of God among us.” Affable, dedicated and generous, Sister Rosemary once reflected, “As a Sister of Charity rooted in the Vincentian-Setonian tradition of service, I strive to see Christ in every person I meet. I strive to be a welcoming presence to those in the parish and the local community who are poor, needy, lonely and oppressed.” Sister Rosemary was known for her deep faith, Irish humor, organizational skills and sensitivity to individuals, especially the elderly and those in need.
