Obituary of Sr.Rose Claire Gonzalez, SMIC

The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception mourn the loss of their Sister Rose Claire Gonzalez, SMIC who died on June 9, 2017 at the age of 89 in McCauley Hall Health Care Facility, Watchung, NJ Sister Rose was born in Berlin, New Jersey to Manuel and Generosa Gonzales January 4, 1928. Sister Rose Claire entered the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God December 7, 1949. Sister Rose Clair graduated with a B.A Degree in English from Dominican College, Houston, Texas. She then went to Seton Hall University where she received a M.A. in English. Before entering the Order Sister worked as a Clerk and Bookkeeper at Jefferies & Manz Printers in Philadelphia. Upon entering the Order Sister Rose Claire was a Teacher at St. Ann's School in Midland Texas and Holy Cross School in Austin, Texas until 1953. She was a part-time bookkeeper at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Houston Texas from 1953 to 1956 and an office worker at Holy Cross Hospital in Austin Texas until 1958. Sister Rose Claire was a teacher at Holy Cross School in Austin Texas from 1958 to 1959. Upon returning to New Jersey she was a teacher at Tombrock College in Woodland Park. In 1969 Sister was adjunct Faculty Member for County College of Morris, Randolph Township, New Jersey. In 1970-74 Sister Rose Claire was the President of Tombrock College, Woodland Park, New Jersey. She then went to work as a teacher/librarian at St. Agnes High School in New York until 1979. Sister was the Provincial Coordinator for the Immaculate Conception Province in Woodland Park from 1982 to 1985. After that she became a teacher/librarian at Don Bosco Technical High School in Paterson, New Jersey until 1995. She then assumed the role of Province Archivist for the Immaculate Conception in Paterson, NJ. From 1998 until 2004; Sister Rose Claire served as Assistant Superior General of the congregation. Sister Rose Claire retired to St. Bonaventure Convent in Paterson and in 2013 went to St. Francis Residence in Denville, NJ. Due to illness, she was transferred in 2017 to McCauley Hall Health Care Facility, Watchung, N.J. Sister Rose Claire Gonzalez is survived by her sister Maria Gonzalez. Sister Rose Claire's wake will be on July 15 at 9:30am followed by a funeral liturgy at St. Bonaventure's Church, Paterson. Interment will follow in the cemetery of the Missionary Sisters on Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park, New Jersey. Memorial contributions may be made to the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in lieu of flowers.