Submitted by: Dan Rich

Sister Mary Claire Rozier CSC

Feb. 15, 1912 - Aug. 2, 2002

South Bend Tribune 8/3/2002

Sister Mary Claire Antoine (Juanita Rozier) CSC, was the fourth daughter born to Alfred William and Mary Elizabeth Hartman Rozier. She was born in Tuolumne, CA, February 14, 1912. Sister is survived by a sister, Frances MacNeil, Vallejo, CA, and a cousin Marie Laducci, Alexandria, VA.

Sister entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, June 21, 1930 and made her first profession January 6, 1933.

Sister really wanted to study medicine but circumstance prevented her and she took classed in education and science. She eventually earned her bachelor degree in laboratory science. She began her teaching at Sacred Heart Academy, Ogden, UT, 1933-1934, then to Saint Agnes High School, Los Angeles, CA for a year. Her next Assignment was Our Lady of Lourdes, Colusa, St. Paul's, Los Angeles and back to St. Agnes, Los Angeles, all in California.

Sister still wanted to work in hospitals and was on her way to Muncie, IN, where she was met at the railroad station by her superior who needed a science teacher at Judge Memorial in Salt Lake City, Utah, "for one year." That was in 1943 and turned into 12 years, 6 as principal ending in 1955. Sister continued her pursuit of education and earned a master's degree in Science with a minor in guidance/counseling. Her teaching career continued in secondary schools, St. Joseph's, Ogden, UT, where she was principal and teacher, St. Teresa's Academy, Boise, ID, and in California: St. Paul's (Bishop Conaty) Los Angeles, 1959-1960, St. Agnes (Bishop Conaty) Los Angeles, 1960-1963, Holy Cross, Mountain View, 1963-1968, St. Agnes (Cathedral High School) Los Angeles, 1968-1969, Queen of Angels (Cathedral) Los Angeles, 1969-1970, and St. Thomas Aquinas (Cathedral H.S.) Monterey Park, 1970-1974. Her next assignment was at St. Stanislaus, Modesto, CA, where she taught and was in the guidance/counseling office, 1974-1985.

One highlight of her life was a hot-air balloon ride taken, in California, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the first manned hot-air balloon ride taken by her ancestor, Frenchman Jean Pilatare de Rozier, November 21, 1783.

Sister Claire Antoine moved into Parish Ministry at Saint Luke's Parish, Stockton, CA, and then spent time caring for her older sister. Sister retired to Saint Catherine by the Sea, Ventura, CA, 1988, and in 1997 came to Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame, IN, where she was active in the Ministry of Prayer until her death. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN 46556.

Wake service will be Monday, August 5, 2002, at 4 p.m. in Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 6, 2002, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.