Sister Rose Damien Malabon's Obituary
Sister Rose Damien Malabon, CSJ the daughter of Santiago Malabon and Damiana Cogal was born in Hamakuapoko on the island of Maui January 28, 1932 and named Inez. A little over a month after her birth she was baptized Agnes at Holy Rosary Church (Paia). She attended Holy Rosary School, St. Anthony Girls’ School (Wailuku) and graduated from Mount St. Mary’s College (Los Angeles).
Sr. Rose became a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1953 and taught in California before being missioned home to Hawaii in 1960. She returned to the mainland to teach in several schools from 1968-1978. Sr. Rose was permanently missioned to Hawaii in 1978. She taught at St. Joseph School (Waipahu), St. Theresa School (Honolulu), Christ the King School (Kahului) where she was also the parish DRE and Liturgy Resource person. Sr. Rose was a volunteer service provider at Kalihi Valley Homes and at Punchbowl Homes in Honolulu. At KVH she initiated the resident night watch program and provided numerous activities for both children and adults, including a small business training program funded by a Hawaii Community Foundation grant.
When worsening medical conditions prevented her from continuing in direct service to the people of Hawaii, Sr. Rose moved to Carondelet Center where she was a “wisdom figure,” keeping everyone current on world events and justice issues. She also continued a ministry of prayer and witness. Rosie D, as she was lovingly nicknamed, chose to move to Leahi Hospital when she needed long term care but welcomed the many Sister and `Ohana visitors who brightened her days.
Rose Damien was one who loved to be with people and lifted their spirits. She was always ready to sit, have a cup of coffee and talk story with whomever came into the kitchen. She enjoyed wearing earrings and hats – there were three hats she especially liked. As one sister said, “Rose loved to shop, shop, shop” and would sometimes ask her visitors to take her out to see what she could find.
She loved the image and symbolism of the butterfly and the sunflower. Many butterfly pictures and cutouts decorated her room at home and, hanging from the light fixture, danced above her hospital bed. Although she was not able to go to see the sunflower fields on the North Shore, sunflowers brightened the corner of her room during her last days. She truly lived the lyrics to Carey Landry’s Song Like a Sunflower: “Like a sunflower that follows every movement of the sun, So I turn toward You, to follow You my God.”
In the wee hours of the morning of June 29, Sr. Rose peacefully went home to her loving God, surrounded by several of her sisters and after having listened to the voices of her loved ones on Maui who called to express their love and gratitude. May Rosie D. eternally enjoy the love and presence of her Lord.
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