Current Ministry Location: Maryknoll Sisters Center-Maryknoll, NY
Sister Roseann was born June 23rd, 1928 in Richmond Hill, NY to Agnes V. (O’Hare) Hanley and Joseph T. Hanley. She grew up with 1 brother and 2 sisters. Sister Roseann graduated from Richmond Hill High School in 1947. She was working at the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in New York City when she decided to dedicate herself to God as a Maryknoll Sister and a missionary.
Sister Roseann entered the Congregation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY on September 6th, 1950. She pronounced First Vows March 7th, 1953 at the Sisters Center and Final Vows on March 7th, 1959 in Hawaii. After First Profession, Sister Roseann worked for a year at the Center, in Chi Rho Arts. Then in 1958 she earned her Bachelor of Education Degree at Maryknoll Teachers College.
Sister Roseanne’s first mission assignment was in 1958 to Hawaii, where she taught second grade for five years.
In 1963, Sister Roseann embarked for South America, where, after Spanish Language study, she began a forty-five year ministry to the poor, coastal people of Chile, most of them agricultural workers. During these years of loving service, Sister Roseann aided numerous evolving ministries within the community.
Sister Roseann also worked with Girl Scouts and choral groups, women’s groups, and Basic Christian Communities, as well as orchestrated an Art and Crafts workshop, and served as a parish team member, a catechist, and a director of Church music.
Sister Roseann remained in Chile, with the exception of a three-year period of Congregational Service at the Center.
In 2006, Sister Roseann returned to retire at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. Due to increasing health issues in 2018, she became a patient in the Sisters Home Care unit.