Rosalie McQuaide, CSJP (1932-2024)
Rosalie McQuaide was born on January 4, 1932, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the second of three children of James Patrick McQuaide, Jr. and Loretto Frances (Armstrong) McQuaide.
In 1950, Sister Rosalie began her religious life as a Sister of the Precious Blood in Dayton, Ohio. She graduated from the University of Dayton, Ohio, in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. She then earned a Master of Arts in Music Literature from the American University in Washington, DC, in 1969 and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Historical Musicology in 1976 from New York University, New York, New York. After attaining her doctoral degree, Sister Rosalie left a 17-year ministry in education to serve as a cataloger and music editor.
Sister Rosalie transferred to the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in 1982. She served as an archivist for the Congregation, later taking on the role at La Guardia Community College in Long Island City, New York. In 1988, She was archivist, historian, and records manager for Catholic Relief Services (CRS). She set up a new records management system for CRS, travelling widely across the globe to train staff. Sister Rosalie was also a founding member of Archivists for Congregations of Women Religious, which inaugurated the Sister Rosalie McQuaide, CSJP Award in 2024 to recognize “the work of an archives of women religious for a project that demonstrates innovation, clear organization, and well-planned implementation resulting in greater access.”
After studying Zen Buddhism for 22 years, Sister Rosalie received transmission in 1998. She and Sister Janet Davis Richardson, CSJP, cofounded the Clare Sangha Zen community of Baltimore, Maryland, where they offered instruction, retreats, days of reflection, and weekly meditation. In 1999, Sisters Rosalie and Janet also cofounded and directed the Women at the Table (WATT) project, publishing Studies on the Life of Margaret Anna Cusack. The collection is open to research through the Barry University Archives in Miami, Florida.
In 2004, Sisters Rosalie and Janet relocated to Lakeland, Florida, responding to a need to be a loving presence to their own family members. While there, they continued work on research and writing for the WATT project and organized English as a Second Language classes for the local immigrant community in their parish. Sister Rosalie also served in music ministry there until her move to St. Michael Villa in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, in 2018.
Sister Rosalie McQuaide died peacefully on December 10, 2024, and was buried on December 12, 2024, at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey. A memorial mass was held on January 4, 2025, at St. Michael Villa.
Sister Rosalie was predeceased by her brother James Patrick III, her sister Mary Ann Schroeder, and her niece Margaret Ann (Meg) Schroeder. She is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Sister Rosalie will be especially missed for her passion for our CSJP history, her infectious love of music, and her deeply contemplative heart.