Sister Rosann Fraher
July 6, 1942 - June 25, 2023
Sister Rosann Fraher died at the age of 80 on June 25, 2023 in Burlingame. Born in San Francisco to Philip and Veronica Kohr Fraher, she attended Epiphany Elementary and Mercy High Schools. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1960 and professed vows in 1963. Following college, she completed requirements at U.C. Berkeley for her California Teaching and Administrative credentials and Masters degree. Sister taught elementary school at St. Catherine's and Our Lady of Angels in Burlingame and St. Gabriel in San Francisco, then served as Principal for several years. While Principal at St. Peter's she became fluent in Spanish. She found that this time especially enriched her perspective on life, ministry and faith.
She was elected to the Community leadership team 1989-93 and on completion of her term, she became Principal at Mercy High School Burlingame for 10 years. She focused on expanding the academic program especially in the areas of fine arts, foreign language and technology. During her tenure the school experienced an increase in enrollment. Sister also worked on a national level to support Mercy Schools and was a member of the advisory board for educational leadership at the University of San Francisco. After a year of sabbatical Rosann taught junior high at St. Anne's School in San Francisco and then ministered with the Presentation Sisters for 10 years at The Lantern teaching English as a Second Language in the Mission District. She enjoyed the opportunity to provide direct service to women where she could use her language skills and help to meet their needs. She was known for her fun-loving manner and her ability to respond creatively and generously to the needs of others. Even when she was ill she enjoyed connecting with others and offering support.
Rosann is survived by siblings Philip J., Robert, John and Joseph Fraher and Nancy Fraher Carrey, many nieces and nephews and her loving community of the Sisters of Mercy.
A vigil service will be held on July 11 at 7 p.m. at Mercy Convent 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA; and the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on July 12 at 11:00 a.m. at Mercy Convent followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010, Mercy Beyond Borders or Mercy High School.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Jul. 5, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Rosann Fraher

Sponsored by Duggan's Serra Mortuary - Daly City.

9 Entries

Susan and Albert Alioto

June 25, 2024

One year since Sister Rosann passed away. It seems a curious thing, but while we miss her terribly, we feel that she is always still with us.

Angie Pratt

July 15, 2023

I knew Roseann when she was Principal at Mercy Burlingame. She was an amazing and tireless advocate for the students and staff.

Virginia (Fraher) Weingartner

July 10, 2023

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and with the Sisters of Mercy community. May Sr. Rosann rest in peace in the loving embrace of the God she served throughout her earthly life.

Angie Gatto, Mercy Class '81

July 10, 2023

RIP Sr Rosann. I have such wonderful memories from being a Mercy Burlingame student and Sr Rosann dedicated herself to teaching us, making Mercy a better place for all future Mercy girls. Prayers to her family during this difficult time.

Daniel E Whelan

July 9, 2023

My condolences to the Sisters of Mercy on the passing of Sister Rosann Fraher. May Sister Rosann Fraher, rest in peace!

Eugenia Hovland (Mercy Alumnae Board)

July 7, 2023

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Class of 1967

July 7, 2023

Sister Rosann was a great teacher, full of compassion, love and a spirituality like no other. She loved God and you could see it and feel it when around her. She left a great example in my heart all these years of the results of loving God. I am so glad I met her.

The Leach Family

July 6, 2023

The Leach Family expresses its most sincere condolences to the Fraher Family on the loss of Sister Rosann, RSM.

What a beautiful lady, what a beautiful life!

Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life. Proverbs 22:6

Who is the one who fears the LORD?
God shows him the way he should choose.
He will abide in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land.
The counsel of the LORD belongs to those who fear him; and his covenant instructs them. Psalm 25

They that instruct many to justice shall shine as stars for all eternity. Dan 12:3

What more important task than to train up minds and teach the young the ways of life. A nobler worker indeed than any painter, than any sculptor or such like artist do I reckon the one who possesses skill to mold well the souls of the young. St. John Chrysostom

May she BE in the love and peace of the Lord whom she served so well.

Class of 1967, St Gabriel School

July 5, 2023

Our year in the 8th grade was Sister Rosann's first year at St. Gabriel's. There were three classes in each grade and that year it was decided that one teacher would do all the math, one would do the social studies and one the reading and grammar. Sister Rosann was everyone's math teacher.

We quickly learned that she was an excellent teacher. More than that, we learned that she was special friend and for a large number of us, she would be a lifelong friend.

Every word that describes teaching at its best fit Sister Rosann perfectly. Every word that describes friendship at its best fit her better.

We will always cherish her memory.

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