The funeral for Sister Rose Anthony D’Alfonso, D.C., was celebrated March 2, 2013, at Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center in New Orleans, La. Burial followed at St. Vincent’s Cemetery in New Orleans.
Sister Rose Anthony died Feb. 25, 2013, at 90 years of age at Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center. In December of 2012, she celebrated 59 years vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Born in New Orleans on December 31, 1922, Sister Rose Anthony was the daughter of Anthony and Mary (Puccio) D’Alfonso. She was one of three children; Sister had two older brothers, Joseph and Anthony, who survive her. Sister was named Rose Mary D’Alfonso at birth.
Sister Rose Anthony graduated from John McDonogh High School in New Orleans in 1940; she then completed business courses in 1941 at E. D. White High School in New Orleans. From there, she earned her diploma in nursing from Hotel Dieu School of Nursing in New Orleans and her certificate in psychiatric nursing from DePaul Psychiatric Hospital in New Orleans in 1946. In 1953, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La. She completed her Master of Science in nursing at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1962; and she earned a hospital executive development certificate from Saint Louis University’s Center for Hospital Continuing Education in St. Louis, Mo., in 1969.
Sister Rose Anthony joined the Community of the Daughters of Charity in December of 1953. Following her initial formation, she served in many Catholic care facilities. She was a psychiatric unit supervisor at St. Vincent Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., from 1955 to 1960 and 1962 to 1964. She then served as the director of nursing service at St. Vincent’s in St. Louis from 1964 to 1966 and then served as administrator there from 1966 to 1969. The next two years, 1969 to 1971, she ministered as the psychiatric nurse coordinator at Providence Hospital in Waco, Texas. Sister then was appointed assistant director of psychiatric nursing service at Charity Hospital in New Orleans; she served there from 1971 to 1974. From 1974 to 1977, Sister Rose Anthony ministered in North Dakota and St. Louis, Mo.
Then, she returned to Louisiana where she served the rest of her life. She served nearly 30 years at the National Hansen’s Disease Center in Carville, La. From 1977 to 1990, Sister ministered there as a clinical nurse; from 1990 to 1992, she served there as a unit clerk; from 1992 to 2000, Sister served at the Center as a pharmacy aide; and from 2000 to 2003, Sister Rose Anthony served there as a stock clerk and unit clerk. In 2003, Sister Rose Anthony entered the Ministry of Prayer at Malta Square Residence in New Orleans. She lived there until 2006 when she moved to Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center in New Orleans where she continued her Ministry of Prayer.
Sister Rose Anthony served on the board of directors at DePaul Hospital in New Orleans, La., and St. Vincent Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.
Sister Rose Anthony loved the New Orleans Saints and was a great fan of LSU football. She enjoyed the Mardi Gras parades and loved the French Quarter where she was born and raised. Dixieland jazz was one of her favorite things.
Sister Rose Anthony is survived by her two older brothers: Joseph D’Alfonso (and his wife, Philippa) of Metairie, La., and Anthony D’Alfonso of Slidell, La.; two nephews and two nieces and several great nieces and nephews.