Obituary of SISTER MARY ROSE HAMMERLING,OSB

Sister Mary Rose (Anselm) Hammerling, O.S.B. With deep sorrow, the Sisters of St. Benedict announce the death of their beloved member Sr. Mary Rose Hammerling on November 23, 2020 at 9:35 a.m. at Grace Hospital after a courageous battle with pneumonia. Sr. Mary Rose faithfully lived the Benedictine monastic life for 68 years and with her passing an important chapter in the life of Benedictines of North America comes to a close. Sr. Mary Rose was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on September 8, 1929 to Frank and Rose (Dubanski) Hammerling. Her parents had emigrated to Canada from Poland in 1927 thus Sr. Mary Rose was the first born of three children in Canada, her parents having previously suffered the loss of 6 other children in Poland. She was very treasured in a family full of faith, love and deep trust in God. Sr. Mary Rose received her elementary and high school education at Lord Nelson School, Isaac Newton High School and St. Mary’s Academy. She graduated with a B.A., B. Ped. and B. Ed from the University of Manitoba. She pursued graduate studies towards Masters Degrees in English at Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan and Theology at St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. Sr. Mary Rose entered the Sisters of St. Benedict on September 25, 1950 and made her monastic profession on September 2, 1952. At the time of her entrance into the novitiate she was given the name Anselm which she proudly carried till the year 2000 when she reverted to her Baptismal name Mary Rose. Her ministry in the community included education, health, and administration, chairing various committees and boards, formation work, spiritual direction, serving on council and as prioress. In the wider church she served on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and Conference of Religious of Manitoba. She was elected first councilor of the Federation of St. Gertrude and later President. While President she served on the Council of the North American Benedictine Prioresses and on the Abbott Primates’ Commission of O.S.B. Sisters. She was the keynote speaker at the 1993 Symposium of O.S.B. Women at the Benedictine College of Sant’ Anselmo in Rome. Sr. Mary Rose was a gentle woman of deep faith and prayer with a welcoming smile to all she met. She loved being with people and was never at a loss for words. She exhibited quiet leadership and always enjoyed socializing. She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Rose Hammerling, her infant siblings Peter, Catherine, Mary, Helen, Polly and Eva Hammerling, her sister Genevieve Frances Joy (Bill) Kormylo, brother Anthony (Mary) Hammerling, niece and nephew, baby Mary and Dean Kormylo. She is survived by her Benedictine community, nephews Tom (Lana), Jim, and Rod Kormylo (Vivian); nephew Mark (Freda) Hammerling; nieces Debbie Patching, Cheryl Hammerling, and Karen (John) Pearson, cousin Joseph Dubanski, as well as numerous great nieces, nephews, close relatives and friends. Due to Covid restrictions, a private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Benedict’s Monastery on Friday, November 27, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. presided by Rev. Richard Arsenault and commendation by Sr. Dorothy Levandosky, Administrator with interment to follow in the Monastic Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Srs. Gerarda Pura, Mary Coswin, Marie Baker, Irene Burzynski, Joan Mormul and Marcelline Pasloski. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations may be made in Sr. Mary Rose’s memory to St. Benedict’s Foundation, 225 Masters Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R4A 2A1. The Sisters wish to express their gratitude to Dr. John Mayba for his dedicated service and the doctors and nurses at Grace Hospital, the caring staff at St. Benedict’s Health Care Centre and Sr. Mary Rose’s family and friends for their loving support and care. May she rest in peace.