Sister Rose Sieben, SSND
(formerly Sister M. Raymond)

First Profession 1935
Motherhouse
Waterdown, Ontario

Beloved sister of Sister Anastasia Sieben, SSND; & Sister Amelia Sieben, OSE.

Sister Rose Sieben died on February 22, 2016 at Notre Dame Convent, Waterdown, Ontario. She was 101 years old and in her 81st year as a School Sister of Notre Dame.

Sister Rose's parents emigrated from Russia and settled in the prairies. They built a two-room sod house fourteen miles from Macklin, Saskatchewan. Sister Rose was born on April 16, 1914, the fifth of 18 children. John and Appolonia (Walter) Sieben would not have expected their sickly child to reach 101years. Sister Rose developed every childhood disease. At age of eight her whooping cough was so severe that she was taken to the Macklin hospital. The nurse, a nun, suggested that Rose be carried. She stayed with little Rose. It was the kindness of this nun that inspired Rose to announce when she returned home from the hospital, "I, too, shall be a Sister!"

Rose attended Ackerman School which was 2½ miles from her home in Cosine, Saskatchewan. Most of her siblings had to help with farm work when they finished Grade 8. Because Rose wanted to be a teaching Sister, her parents took her to Leipzig, Saskatchewan for her high school education. This was a day and boarding school administered by SSND. In May 1932 she became a candidate in Leipzig, Saskatchewan and at the end of the month Mother Baptist Klein, Provincial Superior, took her, along with three other candidates, to Waterdown where Rose continued her studies. In 1934 she was received as Novice Mary Raymond and professed her vows the following year.

During her 45 years in the classroom, Sister Rose was certified to teach in four provinces within Canada - Ontario,(Galt, Caledonia), Saskatchewan, (Leipzig, Handel, Wilkie) British Columbia, (Cloverdale, Ladner) and Alberta (Mearns). During most of her teaching years she had two, three and four grades within her classroom. Sister Rose attained her B.Ed from the University of British Columbia. She also took courses from the Department of Education in Saskatchewan.

In 1976 Sister Rose moved to Crowborough, England, her last fulltime teaching assignment. Here, at Notre Dame Convent School, she taught seven year olds.

In 1980 she returned to Canada and audited classes at Newman College, Edmonton, Alberta. The following year Sister Rose engaged in pastoral ministry- visiting the sick and elderly in Wilkie, Saskatoon, Beechy, and Unity, Saskatchewan. She also tutored students at St. Peter's School, Unity.

After 56 years on mission Sister Rose retired to Notre Dame Villa, Waterdown. This was the second time she and her older sister, Sister Anastasia, lived together. The first was when Sister Rose started teaching in Leipzig. Sister Rose assisted in various community activities. She offered to decorate the large bulletin boards in the Villa. They were always bright and beautiful as well as seasonal and informative. The months of May and October highlighted Mary, Mother of God.

Sister Rose continued her interest in world events and enjoyed other leisure activities including water colour painting. Her two sisters and nephews came from the west to celebrate her 100th birthday. She delighted in spending time with them and sharing family stories.

Prior to her sudden illness, Sister Rose participated fully in community activities.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Rev. P. Labado, chaplain, on February 26. She is survived by her sisters, Katherine Baier, Mary Banack, Augustine Evenson and Barbara Maier.

Several years ago Sister Rose wrote a poem titled, Creation Praises the Creator. The last lines were:

"Last of all you created me
In mysterious ways you called me
Sustained, protected and guided me
I will sing praise to you all my life."

Now, Sister Rose can continue praising God face to face.

(School Sisters of Notre Dame; Atlantic-Midwest Province)

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord!