Sister Rosemary Eyler (formerly Sister Mary Luke)

Sister Rosemary Eyler, formerly Sister Mary Luke, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. She was 93 years old and had been a Sister of Providence for 75 years.

Commentary

By Sister Ann Casper, SP

Reading: Mark 10:13-16

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch them and bless them, but the disciples told them not to bother Jesus. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was very displeased with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these .I assure you, anyone who doesn’t have their kind of faith, will never get into the Kingdom of God.” Then he took the children into his arms, placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

Throughout her nearly 60-year ministry career as an educator, both teacher and principal, Sister Rosemary must have said many times: “Let the children come to me!” It was a reciprocal arrangement, Rosemary loved the children and by all accounts, the children loved her! They loved being in “her” school, one even expressing her disappointment when she had to graduate and go elsewhere!

Perhaps “Let the children come to me” revealed her own child-like qualities: her love of a good time, her desire to have fun in a lighthearted way, her innate sense of humor and the fact that she just enjoyed being with people!

Rosemary Eyler was born to Clayton and Margaret Brennan Eyler June 16, 1930, in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Two of her five siblings remain: her sister Margy and her brother Tom. Rosemary is now united with her parents and three sisters who preceded her in death: Elizabeth, Donna and Carolyn. Those who knew the family attested to Rosemary’s deep devotion to her family. Someone said that the five sisters were as different as night and day. We can only assume that Tom held his own with them! I was told that Rosemary was especially close to Tom, next in age to her.

Rosemary attended grade school at St. Bernard’s in Crawfordsville, staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. She went to Ladywood in Indianapolis for high school, where she met the Sisters of Providence for the first time. She attributes her religious vocation and her love of teaching to the influence of both communities.

Following graduation in 1948, she entered the Congregation Feb. 2,1949, and was received into the novitiate Aug. 15 that same year. She was given the religious name of Sister Mary Luke, later returning to her baptismal name. She made her first profession of vows in 1951 and her perpetual vows on the same date in 1956.

Sister Rosemary graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor degree in education and then earned two Master degrees at Indiana State University, the first a Master of Science in education and the second a Master of Arts in educational administration and supervision.

Her first ministries were as a teacher, mostly primary grades in Illinois, Indiana, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, for about 15 years. In the height of the civil rights movement, she was given her first principal assignment — to St. Bridget’s School in Indianapolis, a primarily African American student body at the time. Thus began her 42 years in the role of principal! Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, Sister Lois Ann Meyer, a superintendent of schools and a dear friend of Sister Rosemary’s remarked, “Generally, 10 or 15 years as principal was max for most people. To have her serve for more than 40 years was extraordinary! I was blessed to have her among my principals. She was a steadying influence, due, I believe, to the fact that she never drew attention to herself and she was able to work with all sorts of personalities. Her quick-wittedness and great sense of humor brought so much joy to people!” Her easy smile was also a trait mentioned to me by so many! I always felt that she had an impish grin which seemed to beg the question: what are you up to now?! 

Sister Rosemary received many public accolades for her administrative skills, the most prestigious of which was the Distinguished Principal Award from the National Catholic Education Association, chosen by the Great Lakes Region which included five states. At that time, 2003, she had been principal for 38 years. Rosemary’s reaction was laughing and saying, “I had to tell them my life’s story!” She also told them that she was still “trying to get it right—this being a principal!”

You did not have to be with Rosemary long before you realized her love for animals, particularly dogs, and specifically, her dog Mimi, which her housemate Sister Mary Ann DeFazio would often bring to visit Rosemary and other residents in health care. Sister Lois Ann noted that as principal, a dog often accompanied Rosemary to the office or in the hallways. These were the days before “pet therapy” became so popular. Sister Rosemary would often give a troubled youngster the task of caring for or walking her dog.

Rosemary’s cooking skills were legendary … or I should say, her LACK of cooking skills. Parishioners knew that Rosemary’s contribution to parish pitch ins would ALWAYS be a peach pie, purchased on the way to the event. Then there was the pastor who purchased a brand new stove for her when she arrived at her new mission. Little did he suspect that the only thing Rosemary used the stove for was to store the dog food!

Margy, Rosemary’s older sister, had some family tales to share. She recalled that one Christmas all the girls received dolls, while Tommy got a Red Rider BB Gun. Their father took Rosemary aside in the kitchen and gave her a Red Ryder BB gun, which ever after was referred to as her “favorite Christmas gift”! Another favorite of Rosemary’s was playing golf. She would often play with Sister Lois Ann. In later years, when the Sisters of Providence sponsored a golf tournament, Rosemary always participated and she had no trouble being accepted onto someone’s team. All seemed eager to play with her and enjoy her presence.

(Back to Margy) … she also recalled one Easter when Rosemary wore a yellow dress with ruffles (interjecting that Rosemary was NOT a ruffle person). When the time came to eat, Rosemary and Tommy, probably age 10 and 9, were nowhere to be seen. Her father went looking for them and found them in the middle of a gravel pit on a raft, easily spotted because of the bright yellow dress! Margy recalls the two of them entering the house VERY fast (the yellow dress being just a blur), passing the dinner table without a word and going straight to bed, their punishment. She also recalls her father being quite shaken by the whole event.

Rosemary’s father was not Catholic when she entered the Sisters of Providence. He had a hard time with her decision and asked her to wait a year. She waited six months and when the day came to leave for the Woods in February, her father did not appear to say goodbye. A week later, he arrived at Saint Mary’s and asked to see his daughter. He was told by the Mother Superior that the rules did not allow visits until Easter. His response, “Sister, those are your rules; not mine! I must see my daughter.” And he did.

After ending her educational ministry, Rosemary ministered another 12 years in parishes, specifically St. Bernard in Crawfordsville and St. Christopher in Speedway. She was active in parish groups, especially with seniors, continuing to share her delightful humor and presence. She retired and moved to the Woods in 2021, where she quickly endeared herself to her religious sisters.

When Rosemary was leaving St. Matthew School in Indianapolis after 14 years as principal there, she was presented with a citation which ended with a long list of the things the parents, students and staff would miss about Rosemary. As you leave us, Sister Rosemary, know that we will miss your humor, your easy-going and fun-loving spirit, your deep love of family and all to whom you ministered, your infectious smile and your dedication to your religious vocation for 75 years. Rest in peace.

Funeral Information

Funeral services for Sister Rosemary took place on Wednesday, April 3, and Thursday, April 4, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

A Wake took place from 2:30-4:30 p.m., on Wednesday, April 3. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m., on Thursday, April 4.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Sister Rosemary to the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

We welcome you to share your memories of Sister Rosemary in the comment section below.

Sister Rosemary Eyler (formerly Sister Mary Luke)

Complete Ministry

In Illinois: Teacher, St. Angela, Chicago (1951-56).

In New Hampshire: Teacher, Lady Isle, Portsmouth (1956-58).

In Massachusetts: Teacher, St. Rose, Chelsea (1958-59).

In Indiana: Teacher, St. Michael, Greenfield (1959-66); Teacher/Principal, St. Bridget, Indianapolis (1966-68, 1968-70); Teacher/Principal, Sacred Heart, Evansville (1970-73); Principal, Sacred Heart, Evansville (1973-74); Coordinating Principal, Westside Consolidated School, Evansville (1974-79); Principal, St. Matthew School, Indianapolis (1979-93); Principal, St. Augustine, Rensselaer (1993-2000); Principal, St. Charles Borromeo School, Peru (2000-05); Principal, St. Bernard School, Crawfordsville (2005-08); Senior Citizen Ministry, St. Bernard Parish, Crawfordsville (2008-11); Volunteer/Parish Ministry, St. Bernard Parish, Crawfordsville (2012-17); Parish Volunteer, St. Christopher Parish, Indianapolis (2017-20); Prayer, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2021-24).