Obituaries

Rose Stearns, 85; Teacher, Religious Education Director

A memorial Mass is scheduled for Feb. 16.

 

Rose Stearns, 85, a former teacher in local Catholic schools, passed away on Jan. 30.

She was born in Rose, Italy in 1927. She was a lifetime resident of Greenwich. She was predeceased by her parents Carmella(Caruso) and Francesco Benvenuto and by her husband Wilbur Curtiss Stearns of 64 years.

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She taught kindergarten at St. Roch’s School in Greenwich until its closing and stayed on as Director of Religious Education (DRE) from 1967-71. Then taught at St. Mary’s from 1972-76 as assistant to Zeni Fox, Director at St. Mary’s in Greenwich. She was DRE at St. Clement’s Church in Stamford/Old Greenwich from 1976 – 1982. She then went to St. Bridget’s of Ireland in Stamford where she retired after 15 years. She came out of retirement where she was DRE at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church for four years from 1998-2002. She was involved in many programs for 40 years in the Diocese of Bridgeport which included catechist and parent training workshops and renewal conferences. She was one of the founders of BRED (Bridgeport Religious Education Directors) and served two terms as chairperson.

She also served as a consultant in St. John’s Church in Darien. She prepared numerous children for first communion and confirmation. She was a student of CPE( Clinical Pastoral Education) and spent a year at Stamford Hospital as a chaplain.

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Rose loved to clown and was a member of the HaHa (Health and Humor) at Stamford Hospital where she helped train new clowns. She has been a resident of Hill House and served as President of the Hill House Association.

Her family includes four sons Curtiss (Sheila) of Colorado Springs, CO; Hugh (Kathy) of Springfield, VA; Steven (Janice) of Riverside; and Gregory of Beaverdam, VA; and daughter Barbara Pritz of Cincinnati, OH. Flower grandma is survived by eight granchidlren, Amy (Patrick) Tasca of Colorado Springs, CO; Beth Stearns of Anthem, AZ; Aaron (Barbara) Stearns of Ocean Ridge, FL; Alisen (Adam) Steffens of Riverside; Chelsea and Nicholas Stearns of Springfield, VA; Charles Pritz of Cincinnati, OH and Ozzie Stearns of Beaverdam, VA. She was also blessed with four great grandchildren: Justin, Joseph, Jaxson Tasca and Lucas Stearns.

A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Riverside. Burial will follow at First Congregational Church Cemetery in Old Greenwich.

The family has asked generous donations be given to the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, 4 Horseneck Ln., Greenwich, CT 06830.


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