Sr. Rose A. Schoolcraft, Rsm

September 24, 1940, was a special day for James V. and Rose C. Schoolcraft. Their daughter, Rose Ann, joined her big brothers, Joe and  Bob. Sadly in 1947, Rose's mother died. The family moved to Arkansas sometime after her birth in Kansas City, Kansas; but when asked "where she came from," Rose claimed Arkansas as home. 

After high school, Rose attended Creighton University, Omaha. She earned both her Bachelor's in Business Administration and later her Master's. When computers, with all their large and complicated equipment came into use, Rose learned all their ins and outs. Today much of that complication is located in the computer itself on a chip, and she is the one we contacted and depended on when we didn't know what to do with computers and all the other "smart" equipment and gadgets. We contacted often and Rose's response and assistance were always prompt, generous and gracious. 

She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1965, making final profession in 1972. With her strong background in finances, she ministered in the Community Finance Office until 1991. She traveled around the Omaha Province (later the West Midwest Region) fulfilling many financial and IT roles. She was instrumental in the formation of Catholic Health Corporation, later CHI.

From 1991 until 2006, Rose served as a "Technology Specialist," ministering at the Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic Schools Office and Sacred Hearth Elementary as Assistant Administrator/Network Administrator-Technology Specialist. From 2006-2009, Rose found herself at Mercy International Centre, Dublin, Ireland, as Financial Director. The Centre is thee founding house and first ministry of the Sisters of Mercy Community. In Ireland, she fell in love in a new way with Catherine McAuley and the works of Mercy. Returning to Omaha in 2009, Rose became the Omaha Community IT person until 2023. 

The she "officially retired" and began the transition to just relaxing and enjoying the community at Immanuel Village Independent Living. As a devoted leader, she kept learning until the end. She lists her talents and skills as: "detail-oriented, efficient and organized, professional with extensive experience in finance and accounting, a strong analytical and problem-solving skills, able to make thought-out decisions, computer proficiency, highly responsible, discreet and ethical, resourceful in completion of projects, effective at multi-tasking." She knew herself very well! We knew her as that person both in ministry and daily life, but more so as a talented, caring and special friend. 

On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, she became seriously ill and peacefully died on Friday, September 15. She will now celebrate her 83rd birthday, September 24th, in heaven will all the saints. It will be the biggest birthday party she ever had. Have a great time, Rose!! You deserve it. Welcome Home. 

Rose is survived by her brothers, Joe and Bob (Connie), seven nieces and nephews, grand nieces an nephews, many friends, colleagues and her Sisters of Mercy. Donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy.