Rosemary Clooney, a former professor of sociology and administrator at Fordham University, died on February 22 at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, New York. She was 73 years old.
“I know the Fordham family joins me in mourning Dr. Cooney’s death,” said Joseph M. McShane, president of Fordham University. “During her long tenure here she championed the values and actions that set Jesuit institutions apart from their peers. Rosemary elevated us, instructed us, and loved us. For those qualities and many more, we will miss her deeply.”
Dr. Clooney began her career at Fordham as an assistant professor of sociology in 1974. She was awarded tenure in 1980 and later served as chair of the department of sociology. In 2000, Professor Clooney was appointed associate dean of Fordham College. She remained in that post until her retirement in 2016.
Dr. Cooney earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in 1969. She held a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Texas at Austin.
I just learned of her passing today. She was our class valedictorian in 1965. She and Pat are two of the finest people that I ever knew. There were many successful graduates from our class of ’65 but none better than Rosemary.