Martha Joseph Rooney

Obituary Sister Martha Joseph Rooney Sister Martha Joseph Rooney died at St. Ann Convent, Tacoma, WA on Friday, May 2, 2014. Sister had been lovingly attended by her Sisters of St. Francis and the staff at St. Ann. Sister was born Mary Rooney in Charleville, County Cork, Ireland on May 13, 1922 to Patrick and Mary (Hayes) Rooney. Sister was the fourth child in a family of three brothers and one sister who have all predeceased her. Sister Martha entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia at Mallow, County Cork, Ireland on August 15, 1938 at the tender age of 16 and then proceeded to Our Lady of Angels Convent, Aston, PA where she professed Final Vows as a Sister of St. Francis on August 11, 1947. Although Sister was small in stature, her ministry in Healthcare and her presence in her Religious Congregation are legendary and she is considered a giant in both arenas! Sister studied at Georgetown and Providence Hospitals where she obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. She later attended St. Louis University and was awarded a Master's Degree in Nursing School Educational Administration. She served on many boards and committees: State Nominating Committee of the American Nurses Association, chairperson of the Nominating Committee of the Greater Tacoma Catholic Nurses Association, Member of the Model Cities Task Force for Health Services as well as on several Franciscan Hospital Boards. Sister Martha dedicated herself to Healthcare Ministry on the East Coast in the 1940's, although most of her service was spent in the West at St. Joseph Hospital, Tacoma, WA and at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Baker City, OR. Sister served in Nursing, Nursing Education (Director of the School of Nursing at St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma) and in Hospital Administration as Assistant Administrator. Sister's later years in ministry were spent serving her own Sisters of St. Francis as she assumed the duties of Health Care Coordinator at St. Ann Convent, Tacoma, WA. A significant time for her was when St. Joseph Hospital was embarking on building a new hospital in Tacoma. Sister was on one of the committees to help in planning the design of the "new" hospital - the tower- which was dedicated in December of 1974 by Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly. A listing of Sister Martha's educational and ministry accomplishments (while impressive) doesn't really tell the whole story of her life. Sister is held in high esteem by former colleagues, students, patients and their loved ones for her many gifts: intelligence, problem-solving ability, administrative skill, dedication to work, and loving care for many, many people. She is highly admired, appreciated and loved by her associates, students and the Franciscan Sisters. Sister was also extremely devoted to the Eucharistic Liturgy (the Mass) as part of her religious observance as a Sister in the Catholic faith. She also spent many hours in prayer, responding to the prayer requests that came from family, friends and co-workers. She was, indeed, God's Faithful Servant! Sister is survived by a niece, Mary Esther (Dave) Lunt and her two great nieces (Mary Esther's and Dave's daughters) Muireann and Aiofe Lunt of England and by her Sisters of St. Francis. Services for Sister Martha Joseph will be held at St. Ann Convent, 6602 S. Alaska Street, Tacoma WA, and will include a Vigil Service on Thursday May 8, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. and a Memorial Mass on Friday, May 9,2014 at 11:00 A.M. All donations in memory of Sister Martha can be sent to: Sisters of St. Francis at St. Ann Convent, 6602 South Alaska Street, Tacoma, WA, 98408. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.