Sr. Roberta Rorke, (Sr. Mary of the Holy Trinity) age 91, a Sister of Providence for 67 years, died January 9, 2025 at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle.
Sr. Roberta was born on February 8, 1933 in Yakima, Washington to the family of Edward and Josephyn Rorke. She had two brothers, Michael and John, and a sister, Jean. In Yakima, she attended St. Paul Grade School and St. Joseph Academy, graduating high school in 1950. She attended the College of Great Falls (now University of Providence), and then transferred to Seattle University, receiving a BA in Philosophy in 1953. As a lifelong learner, Sr. Roberta held MA degrees in history from the University of Washington, 1966, and theology from St. Michael’s College, Winooski, Vermont, 1989.
Sr. Roberta entered the community in 1956, becoming a Novice in 1957, receiving First Vows in 1958, and Final Vows in 1963.
As a dedicated educator, she taught in many schools, including: Providence Academy, Vancouver, Washington. (1954-56); Seattle University, summers of 1962 and 1964; Blanchet High School, Seattle (1958-60, 1964-68, 1969-70); St. Joseph Academy, Yakima (1960-64); College of Great Falls (1971-73); Fort Wright College, Spokane (1973-75); Carroll High School, Yakima (1976-79); and Heritage University, Toppenish, Washington (1993-95). She also served in religious community leadership as a General Councilor in Montreal (1982-92); Provincial Superior of her community (1996-2000); and as a member of the newly formed Mother Joseph Province leadership team (2000-2005).
She made an impression because of her high intellect, beautiful smile, deep spirituality, her love and acceptance of others as well as broad realm of interests and knowledge. She had a passion that lived in her heart for her students, the poor and fighting injustices.
Sr. Roberta loved to travel and was truly a citizen of the world, visiting the Philippines, Egypt, Chile, Argentina, Haiti and Cameroon. She also loved to garden and read and would join any group for a competitive game of Skip-Bo. The Rorke motto in her ancestral Ireland is “I serve by governing,” but she says, “I can reverse it: I govern by serving.” She is deeply missed.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Michael and sister, Joan. She is survived by her brother, John Rorke, sister-in-law, Marlene Rorke, niece, Thea Sanderson, nephew, Sean Rorke, and by the Sisters in her community.
To view Sister Roberta’s obituary and picture and to sign her memory book, please visit the website for Bonney-Watson Funeral Home at www.bonneywatson.com.