Mercy Sister Rosemary Connelly, longtime leader of Misericordia, dies

Sister Rosemary with her family on the day she entered the Sisters of Mercy community. Mercy Sister Rosemary Connelly in a 2022 file photo provided by Misericordia Heart of Mercy. Sister Rosemary, the longtime champion on people with disabilities and a revolutionary in their care, died on June 21, 2025, at 94. Photo provided

Mercy Sister Rosemary Connelly interacts with Mark M. in the early 1970s. Photo provided

Sister Rosemary poses for a photo at a construction site for the Heart of Mercy Village on the city’s North Side in the 1980s. Photo provided.

Sister Rosemary shares a light-hearted moment with Paul P., a resident, while they were applying a coat of protective sealer on paintings that were created in the Arts and Crafts Studio on Aug. 10, 2009. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Sister Rosemary poses for a photo with residents on Sept. 12, 2012. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Mercy Sister Rosemary Connelly, executive director of Misericordia, Archbishop Blase Cupich and Mark Malnati share some pizza during a press event Nov. 7, 2016, at Lou Malnati's restaurant, 1120 N. State St. They shared the news that even though the Diocese of Cleveland lost the World Series wager, Chicago deep dish pizzas and brownies from Misericordia would be delivered to both folks at the William Cosgrove Residence in Cleveland and the Catholic Charities supper program in Chicago. For his part, Bishop Richard Lennon of Cleveland will send a Cleveland-style feast to both the Cosgrove Center in Cleveland, and to the evening supper program in Chicago. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Sister Rosemary interacts with a resident on May 30, 2019. Photo Charles Cherney