Rose Marie Chisholm, SSJ, 99, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on April 1, 2025, in the 78th year of her religious life. She was born on August 30, 1925, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Hugh and Lillian (Vearse) Chisholm. She graduated from Watertown Senior High School in 1943 and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from Sacred Heart Parish in Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1947. She professed her final vows on August 15, 1953.
Sister Rose Marie continued her education at Villa Maria College in Erie. She attended the Cardinal Glennon School of X-ray Technicians in St. Louis, MO, where she earned certification as a registered radiologic technician. After teaching at Sacred Heart School in Erie for four years, she dedicated most of her life to health care, ministering for more than 42 years in radiology. She was an x-ray technician and supervisor at Spencer Hospital in Meadville, PA, Titusville Hospital in Titusville, PA, and Orthopedic Associates of Meadville. She also served as the superior of St. Joseph Convent in Meadville. Later, returning to Erie, she ministered as a receptionist, coordinator, and assistant sacristan at the Sisters of St. Joseph Community Living Center for 20 years and as a receptionist at Saint Mary’s Home of Erie.
In addition to her parents, Sister Rose Marie was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Isabelle Judge and Lillian Greene. She is survived by her sister Anne Meehan of Belmont, MA, her nieces and nephews, and her religious community, the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Friends may visit at the Sisters of St. Joseph Community Living Center, 5031 West Ridge Road, Erie, on Friday, April 4, 2025, beginning with a prayer service and memory sharing at 1:00 p.m. followed by calling hours until 3:50 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 4:00 p.m. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/user/SSJErie/live.
The interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph Mission & Ministries Foundation, 5031 West Ridge Road, Erie, PA, 16506-1249. The Quinn Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
