Sister served throughout the Archdiocese of New York in numerous positions, including as director of the Catechumenate for six years in Yorktown Heights
Sister Rose Marie Harkins, OP (Sister Mary Patricia) of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, died on April 8, 2024, in Mount Vernon. She was 90 years of age.
The daughter of the late Patrick and Mary (Sweeney) Harkins, she was born July 11, 1933, in Paterson, New Jersey.
Sister Rose Marie entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh, in September 1954, made her First Profession in June 1956, and Final Profession in August 1959. Sister Rose Marie earned her B.A. in history and English from Villanova University, her M.S. in secondary education and social studies from Iona College in New Rochelle, and her M.A. in religion and spirituality from Fordham University.
Sister Rose Marie, known in her early years of religious life as Sister Mary Patricia, served as director of the catechumenate and coordinator of the Baptism program and adult formation at St. Patrick’s Parish in Yorktown Heights. She started her ministry as a teacher in two New Jersey schools: St. Lawrence Elementary School in Lindenwold from 1956-59, and St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Toms River from 1959-68. She then moved to Christ the King School in Yonkers, where she was principal from 1968-77. After this, she taught at Holy Rosary School in Hawthorne for two years. Sister Rose Marie was then elected to leadership in the Congregation and served on the Council from 1979-87.
After pursuing full-time study, she was appointed as pastoral associate at Holy Name of Mary Parish in Croton-on-Hudson, where she served until 1991. From 1991-95, she served as Prioress for the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh. In 1995 Sister was appointed as director of the catechumenate and coordinator of adult formation at Immaculate Conception Parish in Tuckahoe, where she served until 1998. She then moved to Yorktown Heights where she served as director of the Catechumenate for six years. Her ministry prior to retirement was with Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center, Ossining, where she was engaged in spiritual direction and retreat ministry. She also coordinated the We Proclaim Ministry of the Word Institute.
Sister Rose Marie was predeceased by her parents, Patrick and Mary Harkins, her siblings, Kathleen, Sheila, and Eugene. She is survived by her brother Jack Harkins, her sister Patricia, her nephews and nieces and her Dominican Sisters of Hope.
Sister’s interment immediately followed the Mass of Christian Burial on April 16, 2024, in the Dominican Sisters’ Cemetery at Mount Saint Mary in Newburgh.
Arrangements were under the direction of Brooks Funeral Home, Gidney Avenue, Newburgh.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister Rose Marie’s name can be made to the Development Office of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, 299 North Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562.