Overview

• Sister Rosemary Connelly led Misericordia Heart of Mercy from 1969 until her retirement in 2021, transforming it into a 31-acre care community in Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood.
• Under her stewardship the campus grew to serve over 600 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and support more than 200 families through its outreach programs.
• She earned a reputation as a formidable fundraiser and advocate, famously admonishing then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel over nonprofit water charges.
• Connelly received numerous honors for her work, including nine honorary doctorates, in recognition of her visionary leadership in disability care.
• Funeral services were held June 24 at Holy Name Cathedral and Misericordia plans to expand its facilities to address a waiting list of around 400 families.