RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Chicago's twin neighborhood stalwarts Maureen Roche Kennedy and Sister Josephine Roche, B.V.M., celebrated their 90th birthdays on June 19th, 2015; and
WHEREAS, This cause for celebration has been brought to the attention of this esteemed body by the Honorable Margaret Laurino, Alderman of the 39th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Maureen and Josephine were born on Chicago's South Side to Irish immigrant parents Tom and Mary Kate Roche and before the age of one relocated to the north side of Chicago where Maureen has lived 89 of her 90 years, while Sister Josephine joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary nearly 67 years ago, engaging in work which took her around the world, Ward; and
WHEREAS, Maureen and Josephine both graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School, Immaculata High School, and Mundelein College. Starting in grammar school, Maureen played violin while her twin, Josephine played piano and they continued with their music in the high school orchestra. The young women also enjoyed friendly competition by playing basketball, as well; and
WHEREAS, 1948 was a big year for the family, as Maureen married her husband Terry Kennedy, whom she had met while obtaining her Master's Degree in Mathematics from Loyola University Chicago, and Josephine moved to Iowa and entered the convent of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and
WHEREAS, Sister Josephine's work in the ministry has continued for nearly 67 years, 32 of which were spent teaching elementary and high school in Wisconsin, Iowa, California, Kansas, before returning home to Chicago where she began teaching at The Immaculata and Alvermia High School. During this time, she traveled to Mexico for two summers to study Spanish. Her final teaching position was with Loyola University Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Josephine continues serving on the Board of Directors of the Immaculata Alumnae Association, where she has served for 30 years; and
WHEREAS, Maureen joined Monsignor Ignatius McDermott at Catholic Charities as Assistant Director, where she helped open Haymarket House, the first substance abuse treatment detoxification center in the state of Illinois. The McDermott/Haymarket House on Washington Boulevard has helped thousands of individuals become sober thanks to the hard work of people of good faith, like Maureen; and
WHEREAS, Maureen was a dedicated election judge in the 47th Ward, as well as an active participant at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, including serving on the committees for the church carnival, the Parish's 100th anniversary, and RCIA (Religious Education for Adults); and
WHEREAS, the sisters have, sadly, lost loved ones along the way; Maureen was widowed in 1997 and Maureen and Josephine were blessed to have been able to spend time with their younger sister, Madeline and their mother, who died at age 92; and
WHEREAS, Maureen and Josephine's lives remain very full, with Maureen's 9 children, 19 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren all enjoying time spent with their mother and auntie; now therefore,
Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-ninth day of July, 2015, do hereby honor and congratulate Maureen Roche Kennedy and Josephine Roche on their 90th birthdays, and for their beautiful lives in service of the people of the City of Chicago and the world; and
MARGARET LAURINO Alderman, 39th Ward
Be It Further Resolved, That a suitable copy be presented to sisters Maureen Roche Kennedy and Josephine Roche and their family.
