Maryknoll, NY: Sister Dolores Rosso, M.M. died on July 6th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on February 22nd, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA to Daniel Rosso and Anna (Brennan) Rosso. She was the eldest of five siblings and is survived by her brother Thomas and her sister Marie, who is also a Maryknoll Sister.
In 1942, Dolores graduated from Little Flower High School, Philadelphia, PA. She then began working in the office of the National Biscuit Company, Philadelphia, PA for one year. On September 7th, 1943 Dolores entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation, Maryknoll, NY (from St. Martin of Tours Parish, Philadelphia, PA). She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7th, 1946 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession of Vows on March 7th, 1949, also at the Sisters Center.
From 1945-1949, Sister Dolores studied at Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Sisters Center), earning a Bachelor of Education Degree. She then received her first mission assignment to Hawaii. There, she spent the next 22 years teaching mostly English and Religion at the Maryknoll School (Punahou) on the island of Oahu. Sister Dolores was awarded by the State of Hawaii for “Teacher of the Year”. She also served for many years on the Council of Pacific Speech and as a member of the National Council of English Teachers. From 1967-1969, she continued her studies at the University of Hawaii, earning a Master’s Degree in English Literature. For the next 11 years, from 1971 – 1982, Sister Dolores served as Executive Director of the newly established Maryknoll High School Alumni Office.
In 1983, Sister Dolores returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to serve as the Director of the Maryknoll Sisters Archives. During her term, she helped facilitate the merger of the Maryknoll Mission Archives: a collaborative project of the Maryknoll Sisters, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, and Maryknoll Lay Missioners.
From 1991-1994, Sister Dolores returned to Honolulu, HI and became the Executive Director of the Spiritual Life Center, an ecumenical facility for retreats and workshops with a focus on Contemplative Outreach.
The following year, Sister Dolores was selected as Regional Archivist for the Maryknoll Sisters Central Pacific Region. In 1996, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to serve on the Coordinating Team preparing for a Congregational Gathering. Once again, she returned to the Central Pacific Region in 1998, this time to serve on the Regional Leadership Team for three years. From 2003-2010, she again worked with the Maryknoll High School Alumni Office.
In 2010, Sister Dolores retired to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.
Funeral Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Annunciation Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY on Tuesday, July 13th, 2021. Burial will follow in the Sisters cemetery.