Rosalia Segovia, daughter of Alejandro and Amada (Gapata) Segovia, was born  September 4, 1908 in Dr. Arroye, Mexico, diocese of Monterey. 

She entered the Congregation March 1, 1954 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was invested August 12, 1955, receiving the name Sister Angelo.  She took her first vows August 13, 1956 and perpetual vows August 13, 1962, both at St. Mary’s Convent, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  She became a naturalized citizen November 11, 1954. 

            Previous to entering the Congregation, Rosalia took a correspondence course from the Chicago School of Nursing and received a diploma in 1944.  She had worked with her sister at the Spahn Hospital, run by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

             Rosalia moved to Milwaukee in July, 1947.  Here she did practical nursing at the Margo Hospital for about six years.  In her autobiography at the time of her entrance, Sister Angelo wrote of this period of her life:  “But with all these experiences, my soul was not at ease.  I felt a longing for something, but I could not find out what.”  She consulted the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Milwaukee, who directed her to the Sisters of the Divine Savior.  The one concern for Sister Angelo was her “advanced age” (46).  With the proper dispensation she was accepted.  “I received the good news that the Sisters of the Divine Savior will accept me.  I was very happy and the emptiness I used to feel within me seemed to have been filled.”

             Within the community, Sister Angelo’s ministry was 14 years of geriatric nursing at St. Mary’s Nursing Home in Milwaukee, and seven years as a seamstress both in St. Mary’s Hospital, Wausau, Wisconsin, and St. Mary’s Convent, Milwaukee.  During her years of service in geriatric nursing, Sister Angelo found time to be on the staff of the Hispanic Sunday School at St. Michael’s parish, Milwaukee.

             Even in her retirement, Sister Angelo was asked by Sister Jane Eschweiler to companion her in a new mission in Booneville, Mississippi where Sister Jane was parish director in two parishes.  Sister Angelo willingly did this service for one year (1987-1988).

             On her return from Mississippi, she lived at Queen of Apostles Convent and Salvatorian Heights Convent, Milwaukee, until poor health required that she enter first St. Mary’s Nursing Home and then St. Anne’s Home for the Elderly, both in Milwaukee.

             Sister Angelo was a quiet, prayerful, loving and persistent person through her years, always interested in the Congregation.  Whenever possible she attended province-wide meetings and celebrations.  The Sisters at Salvatorian Sisters Residence especially remember her habit of praying the Way of the Cross at St. Anne’s immediately following the daily Mass.  How often we heard her gracious greeting at the end of a conversation:  “May the guardian angels protect you.”

             As a “senior sister,” Sister Angelo gave part of her mission to prayers for our benefactors:  “I pray for all people and whatever their needs or what they ask for.  I believe in God’s providence and that He is with us each moment.  I hope others find comfort in knowing Jesus’ love and concern and that all of us are remembering them each day.”  On September 13, 2006 Sister Angelo, at age 98, was able to celebrate her Golden Jubilee of Profession.  What joy she had to have with so many of her family members present, including several from Texas.

             On October 9, 2006, Sister Angelo prayed the Stations one last time.  On October 10, after being up in her wheelchair for a short time, she returned to her bed where she remained, peaceful yet alert at times.  In addition to the many Sisters who kept vigil during the next six days, a niece, Dee Franklin, came from Texas to represent Sister Angelo’s family.  She stayed with our Sisters at the Salvatorian Sisters Residence and took several hours of vigil keeping each night. In the evening of October 16, 2006, Sister Angelo’s daughter, Maria, and her husband, Salvador, came to visit and pray and sing with her (for her).  Ten minutes after they left, with three Sisters and Dee present, Sister Angelo peacefully breathed her last.

             May she now rejoice forever with our loving and provident God.

             Sister Angelo is survived by her daughter, Maria (Salvador) Frausto, Four brothers:  Juan (Anita) Segovia, Raymundo (Lile) Segovia, Pedro (Nico) Segovia, Jacinto (Corina) Segovia, Two sisters:      Manuela (Arturo) Villarreal, Maria C. Mesa, Five grandchildren, nieces, nephews and her many Salvatorian Sisters.

             She was preceded in death by her parents, Alejandro and Amada, one brother, Francisco(Leonore) Segovia, and two sisters:  Maria S. Serna (Otilio) and Maria Isabel Ledesma. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 pm on October 19, 2006 at St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus Chapel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin with visitation beginning at 11:15 am. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.