July 3, 1928 - June 27, 2025
Rose Loretta Zuber was born on July 3, 1928, in Columbus, Ohio. She was the fifth child of John Zuber and Stella Wyss, joining Ann Marie (Cotter), Joan, Eugene, and Frances (Davis). Eugene died of flu when he was less than a year old, so Rose was the “baby sister.” Rose was baptized at St. Leo Church on July 15, 1928, attended St John the Evangelist Parish School, and then St. Joseph Academy where she met the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. After graduation, Rose entered the convent on July 26, 1946, “for the love of Jesus.”
On Rose’s entrance application, she put teaching first for her future ministry and nursing second because she knew the Sisters were teachers. The Sisters saw Rose’s natural care and concern for others, her willingness to help, and her calm, quiet, patient nature. These attributes of a good teacher would also be effective in caring for elderly Sisters living in every large Notre Dame community. After her First Vows, Rose was missioned to assist the Sister in charge of the Infirmary at The Summit in Cincinnati. There Rose learned more about nursing and the importance of journeying with the dying than any class could have taught her. Rose gave skillful and devoted care to each Sister, whatever her situation. Later in life, Rose said that she would have been willing to teach, but she did not think it would have been more satisfying than nursing.
For 22 years, Rose oversaw other Sister nurses and Sister volunteers who cared for the Sisters at Mount Notre Dame Health Center. Over these years she earned her L.P.N., R.N., and Associate Degree in Nursing from the University of Kentucky in 1966. Knowing the importance of being active mentally and physically, Rose was an early advocate of occupational therapy programs and workshops for the retired Sisters.
In 1999, Rose was completing her 50th year of skilled and devoted service to the Sisters, day and night, whether at home, in doctor’s offices, or in the hospital. Recognizing her extraordinary care, Sisters, doctors who knew Rose, and co-workers nominated Rose for the Florence Nightingale Award for Nursing from the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing. From nearly 400 nominees, Rose was one of the six awardees. She was commended for "excellent service to the aging, ill, and dying…, doing so without concern for personal gain or recognition," and for "maintaining her clinical skills while… ensuring the spiritual well-being of her patients." When Rose was told she was receiving the award, with typical humility and humor she said she would “think about accepting.” Learning that each recipient would receive $1,000, Rose did not hesitate! She quickly donated the check for the construction of the new MND Health Center.
When the Health Center was completed, Rose stepped back from nursing but continued to do medical driving and numerous services for the Sisters. In 2018, as Rose approached her 70th year in health care, she was recognized at the White Mass of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for her continued service.
Rose was deeply committed to community life and took a personal interest in each Sister. A wonderful listener, she was affirming and supportive. Rose loved a good time, whether planning and participating in community parties and skits, decorating and riding in a convent car in the Reading 4th of July parade, dressing up for Halloween, or decorating for Christmas and Easter. For years, she organized the Christmas sale to support our Sisters in Africa and Latin America.
At the time of her 50th Jubilee, Rose was delighted to make a pilgrimage to places in France and Belgium that are sacred to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She enjoyed many activities: traveling, exploring nature, going out for dinner, reading, listening to tapes and spending time with good friends or family. An avid Cincinnati Reds fan, Rose followed them on radio and TV and jumped at the opportunity to go to the ballpark. Rose often attended Ohio State football games with her sister, Joan, who had season tickets. Both dressed appropriately for the occasion in OSU attire!
Adjusting to life’s challenges kept Rose young. When the new Health Center was under construction, housing at MND was available only for Sisters needing care. After years of living in very large communities, Rose, at 72, shared an apartment with a Sister for one year. Then they joined other Sisters for a community of five. Soon Rose did grocery shopping, studied cook books to prepare the evening meal, did gardening, took the car for an oil change, and assisted with the many tasks related to small community living.
Rose was always close to her family, evident even in her religious name of Sister Ann Eugene for her oldest sister and for her brother who died as a child. Many of Rose’s family live in or near Columbus. Her nieces and nephews love her! Whenever she came to Columbus, they always said, “We have to go visit Aunt Rosey!” Knowing how much Rose loved strawberry ice cream, her niece Linda and her daughter brought ice cream, toppings, and all the makings of a party from Columbus to the door of MND on a cold day just before Christmas, during Covid. Four days before Rose died, her nieces, Karen and Linda, came from Columbus with strawberry ice cream and lovingly fed Rose, who responded with smiles. After Rose died, Karen said, “Rose was a gift that God planted in the garden of our lives.”
At the time of her 70th Jubilee, Rose reflected on her life: “It feels good to be where I am at this stage in life. I enjoy being helpful to the Sisters, and I gain so much strength from my community. The friendship and understanding are more enriching than ever. I’ve done what I could, what I am meant to do, all with the help of God.”
As Sisters, family, and friends, we thank God for Rose and thank Rose for the many ways she has shared God’s goodness with us. We celebrate Rose’s homecoming as we remember the words of Jesus.
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Receive your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me in. I needed clothes, and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me…” (Matthew 25:34-36)
- Mary Jeanne Hayes, SNDdeN and Kim Dalgarn, SNDdeN