In Memoriam: Sister Rose Angela, 1924-2016

Sister Rose Angela, former president of Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio, died last month. She was 91 years old.

Sister Rose Angela was born Patricia Jean Johnson in Goshen, Indiana. Her family moved to Cleveland and in 1942 she enrolled at Ursuline College. She graduated four years later with a degree in biology. After graduation, she joined the Ursuline Sisters. She studied music at the Cleveland Institute of Music and taught music and biology at Ursuline College.

In 1957, Sister Rose Angela earned a master’s degree at the University of Notre Dame and was then named academic dean of Ursuline College. She served in that post for nine years until she was named the ninth president of the college.

Due to illness, Sister Rose Angela resigned from her position as president of the college in 1969. She returned in 1970 as dean of continuing education. In 1984, she was named General Superior of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland. Sister Rose Angela served in that post for eight years until her retirement.