Sister Rosemary “Rosie” (Perpetua) Wickham, 98, died Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Clare House in the 79th year of her religious life.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Sister Rosemary at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 12, in Francis Chapel. Visitation will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 with a Funeral Vigil at 7:00 p.m. in Francis Chapel.
Sister Rosemary, daughter of the late James and Roseline (Delaney) Wickham, was born October 26, 1920 in Dubuque. She was baptized at St. Raphael’s Cathedral in Dubuque and confirmed at St. Mary’s in Waterloo, Iowa. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Dubuque from St. Mary’s on August 25, 1939. She was received with the name Sister Mary Perpetua on August 12, 1940 and made her final profession of vows on August 12, 1945.
Sister received her master’s degree in education administration at the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon. She ministered as an educator in Iowa at Petersburg, Pocahontas, New Vienna, Arcadia, and Dubuque-Holy Ghost. In California, she served in Crescent City. In Illinois, she served at Corpus Christi, Chicago. She later served in pastoral ministry in Georgia at Hiawassee and Blairsville.
Sister is survived by her sister Helen McClain; her brother and sister-in-law Thomas and Brenda Wickham; nieces and nephews, and her Franciscan sisters with whom she shared over 78 years of her life.
Sister was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Sister Jeanne Wickham, OSF; her brother and sister-in-law, James William Jr. and Genevieve, and a brother-in-law, Francis McClain.
Memorials may be given to the Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque.
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