Obituary of Sr. Brenda E. Rowe
Sister Brenda Rowe, daughter of Herbert Joseph and Helen Marie Logue, both deceased, was born in Baltimore, Maryland on February 26, 1943. Attracted to religious life at an early age, she entered the Religious Teachers Filippini while still in high school in 1959, and later as a Filippini Sister, ministered as an elementary and high school teacher and Director of Religious Education. In 1972, she received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Seton Hall University, NJ, and in 1994, her M.A. in Religious Studies from St. Charles Seminary, PA.
In 1996, feeling a call to the Sisters of Mercy, she began the process of transferring her vows, and made her Final Profession on August 28, 1999.
Some of her assignments included: Pastoral Associate at St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, NJ, Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Township of Washington, NJ, Staff Chaplain of St. Joseph’s Manor in Trumbull, CT, and Life Coordinator for the Sisters of Mercy residing at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung, NJ.
The motto in Sister Brenda’s ring, “Jesus, My Joy!” expresses her life well. She had an infectious laugh and joie de vivre! She was always thinking of ways to bring joy to others, often buying thoughtful gifts for them. She loved to do jigsaw puzzles, and credited doing them with Mom and Pop in her early years to her great ability to find even the most difficult pieces. She loved playing Rummikub and cards with her community sisters most evenings until illness transferred her to McAuley Hall as a resident where she resided until her death on Labor Day, September 6, 2021.
Sister Brenda is survived by her sister Cheryl Cox of Easley, SC, Brother Joseph Rowe of El Paso, TX, cousins Sr. Barbara Ann Quandt, MPF of Morristown, NJ and Janis Dice of Myrtle Beach, SC, and nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements are as follows: Immaculate Conception Chapel, Mount Saint Mary, Tuesday, September 14, 2021. Wake 9:00 to 10:30 AM; Welcome Home Service 9:30 AM. Funeral Mass 10:30 AM followed by burial in Holy Redeemer Cemetery in South Plainfield, NJ.
Donations in Sister Brenda’s memory may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 1645 US Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069. Thank You!
