March 21, 1929 – June 17, 2025
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)
The third of four children, Rose Marie Deibel was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, the home of both her parents--Carl Deibel and Thelma Fearing. They were members of St. Joseph Cathedral Parish where Rose Marie was baptized. Along with Edward, Catherine (Lewis) and James, Rose Marie remembered happy times hiking and playing in the woods in the Lancaster, Ohio, area where she grew up. She became a member of the Notre Dame de Namur family early in life, attending the parish grade school and later St. Joseph Academy where Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur mentored and nurtured her. During high school, she worked as a clerk at department and drug stores and as a receptionist for an optometrist. Throughout this time, Rose Marie recalls feeling that something was missing from her life, so after graduation she entered the Postulate of SNDdeN on July 26, 1947.
Adjusting well to religious life, Rose Marie enthusiastically entered into the years of religious formation and preparation for a teaching ministry, which she began immediately after her First Profession in 1950. Seeming to be a natural born teacher, her gentle, calm manner, interest in people of all ages, and her approachability endeared her to all. For 29 years, she faithfully served in five different elementary schools in Columbus and Dayton in Ohio and Villa Park in Illinois. In addition to her busy teaching schedule, she pursued degrees in higher education: a Bachelor of Science in Education at St. Mary of the Springs College, Columbus, in 1960, and a Master’s degree in Education at Xavier University, Cincinnati, in 1972.
Rose Marie found strength in living with the Sisters and engaging in all aspects of community living. She loved to garden and do crafts and was particularly talented in calligraphy, working with colors and simple sewing to create unique birthday gifts for her Sisters. She was dependable and thorough, a good conversationalist, as well as a sensitive listener. She also took advantage of opportunities for ongoing formation. In 1979-1980, she participated in An Active Spirituality for the Global Community, a year-long program for women religious held in Cincinnati.
That program was life changing for Rose Marie, during which she reconnected with her childhood experiences of the integration of creation and the beauty of nature. She discovered her call to live and work with Native Americans. Taking more time to reflect on this call, she accepted a mission to teach at St. James School, Wyoming, Ohio, for two years. Then she reached out to an Adrian Dominican Sister working with the Ojibway Tribe in Michigan. This sister warmly welcomed Rose Marie to work with her throughout the summer of 1981, helping with pastoral ministry. Her call was confirmed, resulting in her being sent to Holy Name Mission in Watersmeet, Michigan, to serve as a pastoral minister. Now a whole range of new gifts and talents surfaced, as her heart was drawn more and more to live and work with Native Americans.
In 1984, Rose Marie drove herself to her next teaching assignment at St. Anthony School in Zuni, New Mexico. What a change that was for a 55-year-old woman whose ministry until that time had been in Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan! Her life-long appreciation of the Native American people and her passion of furthering justice for them gave her courage. She did not think of distance, loneliness or danger; and, though the challenges were many, her ability to adapt served her well. Fulfilling multiple roles came naturally to her—teaching, principal of the school, spiritual direction, religious education, and pastoral ministry. Rose Marie was happy living among the Zuni people. Since childhood, she had loved Native American symbols, art, music, and especially their spirituality. Amid all the poverty, drabness, and difficulties on the reservation, Rose Marie loved how the people lived simply in harmony with nature and were acutely sensitive to God’s Spirit all around them.
After 11 years working with the Zuni people, Rose Marie was asked to move to St. Francis School in Lumberton, New Mexico, to work with the Apache people. Where she found the Zuni to be jovial, the Apache were more serious. No matter the differences, Rose Marie felt that one of her biggest contributions was convincing and supporting them to retain and teach their native language, which was critical to keeping their culture vibrant. Rose Marie had innumerable precious memories of those days. One was when a young man she was preparing for Confirmation told her that she was an honorary Indian. Another was the time an eagle flew in front of the car she was driving. Instead of being afraid, she remembered that Native Americans considered this a blessing. There were also a few privileged experiences of being present at the sacred dances of the Zuni.
Following two intense years in Lumberton, Rose Marie desired to live in community with SNDdeN. She asked to join the Mesa community and explore opportunities in the Phoenix area. During a transitional year, she worked with the Pima Indians on a nearby reservation as a member of the Ministry and RCIA teams. The Pima, of course, were quite different from either the Zuni or the Apache Tribes. Unsurprisingly, after this year of transition, Rose Marie spent another 10 years serving as Assistant Director of the Office of Native American Ministry in Phoenix.
In 2008, Rose Marie returned to Cincinnati and Mount Notre Dame Health Center. Visiting her room, one could enjoy little figurines and artifacts along with a “dream catcher” hanging above her bed—all memories of her beloved time with the Ojibway, the Zuni, the Apache, and the Pima Tribes. Throughout this last ministry of Rose Marie’s life, the Sisters greatly appreciated her presence and assistance. She was equally at home quietly resting in God’s presence, serving as sacristan in the chapel, reading to visually challenged Sisters, engaging them in conversation, gardening, reading, participating in community meetings, and contributing to community life in any way she was able.
Rose Marie died as she had lived—peacefully, quietly, gratefully. Four days before her death, Rose Marie received the Sacrament of the Sick in our Mount Notre Dame chapel in the presence of all the Sisters gathered for our annual Assembly. She arrived in chapel and returned to her room with the help of her walker. The next few days she graciously greeted by name the sisters who came to her room for a brief chat. For years, she had waited for God’s timing and was ready. We are forever grateful for the 78 years of her gentle, caring presence among us.
Carol Wetli, SNDdeN - June 20, 2025