SOUTHWICK – Rose-Ellen Sweeney, (1935 – 2019) 83, passed away on August 14, 2019 at Mary’s Meadow in Holyoke surrounded by her family. Born in Southwick on August 25, 1935 to the late Daniel and Rose (Jarry) Keenan, she graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1953 and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Science from the College of Our Lady of the Elms and her Master’s Degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education from Rhode Island College. She retired from the Springfield School System after teaching for 38 years. In 1992, Rose-Ellen was awarded the Who’s Who Among American Teachers Award. She was a member of the Springfield Education Association, the MA Retired Municipal Employees, the Catholic Women’s Club, as well as the John Boyle O’Reilly Club. Rose-Ellen’s religious faith was a source of strength and comfort for her.
Besides her parents, Rose-Ellen was predeceased by her beloved husband Cornelius E. Sweeney who passed away in 1992, her brother Daniel F. Keenan and her sister Anne T. Keenan. She is survived by her siblings Dr. Joseph Keenan and Mary Keenan; her nephews: Daniel Keenan, his wife Jill and their children Jack and Matthew; John Keenan, his wife Shay and their children Sean, Mary and Ryan; Jay Keenan, his wife Erin and their children Ella and Cyrus; and Atty. Thomas Keenan, his wife Colleen and their children Cali and Campbell. She will also be dearly missed by Kathleen Pion, her husband Donald and their children Thomas and Robert; and Thomas Sweeney, his wife Karen and their children Kathryn and Jack; and several great grandchildren; as well as many other friends.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Monday, August 19, 2019 from 4-7 PM at Southwick Forastiere Funeral & Cremation, 624 College Highway, Southwick, MA. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 beginning at 8:45 AM at the funeral home followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Lake Parish, 224 Sheep Pasture Rd, Southwick, MA.
Memorial contributions in Rose-Ellen’s memory may be made to Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or to Our Lady of the Lake Parish. For more information, please visit www.forastiere.com
