CHICAGO — Sister Rosemary Connelly, the beloved and formidable leader who turned Misericordia into one of the country’s most respected care communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has died at the age of 94.
Her death was announced Friday by Misericordia officials, who hailed her as the “heart and soul” of the Catholic-run organization in the West Ridge neighborhood.
A Lifelong Commitment to Service
Born in 1931 to Irish immigrant parents, Connelly grew up in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. She entered the Sisters of Mercy order at 18 and went on to earn degrees in Sociology and Social Work from St. Louis University and Loyola University Chicago.
In 1969, she joined Misericordia Heart of Mercy, which at the time was transitioning from a South Side maternity hospital into a center for children with disabilities. Connelly quickly realized the overwhelming lack of resources for older children and adults with developmental needs.
“My purpose was to make their days more human and more loving and more normal,” she once said in a 2019 interview with Block Club Chicago.
A Transformative Legacy in West Ridge
Under her leadership, Misericordia relocated in 1976 to a 31-acre former orphanage campus on Chicago’s North Side. There, she developed a comprehensive community featuring:
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Primary education classrooms
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Self-help and life skills programs
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Speech and physical therapy
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Dozens of residential homes and outreach services for over 600 residents and 200 families
What began as a modest initiative blossomed into a nationally acclaimed facility built on dignity, compassion, and independence.
Advocacy, Fundraising, and Fierce Leadership
Connelly became known for her ability to advocate with both gentleness and unshakable conviction. Her fundraising efforts became legendary, with stories of her persuading powerful figures—including former Mayor Rahm Emanuel—to support Misericordia’s needs.
“Sister, you scare me,” Emanuel reportedly told her during a heated debate about city water charges for the facility.
Her style was described by friends and supporters as both sweet and steely—capable of offering baked goods to city officials while firmly holding them accountable.
Tributes From a Grateful Community
Broadcaster Carol Marin, whose son Gideon has lived at Misericordia since age 13, described Sister Rosemary as “made out of structural steel.”
“She was fortified not just by her faith but her education as a social worker and her strength as an honest woman,” Marin said.
Dan Walsh, chairman of Misericordia’s board and parent to a resident, called her a “living saint” who made miracles happen daily for families.
A Lasting Impact Beyond Her Lifetime
Connelly retired in 2021 after 52 years at the helm but remained involved in the community. At her retirement, she stated, “We are large and we are big, but we are quality. I hope that never changes.”
She passed away within the Misericordia campus where she had lived and served for decades. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 24 at Holy Name Cathedral, with visitation the day before at Misericordia Home.
Sister Rosemary is survived by dozens of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and great-grandnephews—alongside the thousands whose lives she transformed.
Did you or someone you love receive care at Misericordia under Sister Rosemary’s leadership? Share your memories with us in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
