Sister Rosalie Bertell, scientist and activist, dies at 83
CathNews June 22 2012
Sr. Rosalie Bertell, GNSH, Ph. D, an internationally recognized
environmental epidemiologist, cancer researcher and public
health advocate, died June 14, 2012, at age 83 in Saint Mary
Medical Center, Langhorne, PA, in the 54th year of her religious
life.
Dr. Bertell entered the field of cancer research at Roswell Park
Memorial Institute, Buffalo in the 1970s. What started there grew
into a lifetime devoted to research, writing, public speaking and
advocacy work on the effects of low-level radiation on human
health.
Prior to founding the International Institute of Concern for Public
Health in Toronto, Canada in 1984, she was an Energy/Public
Health specialist at the Jesuit Centre for Social Faith and Justice
in Toronto for four years. Sister traveled the globe, researching
and advising ways of dealing with the chemical and nuclear
hazards which endanger the environment and erode the health
of people worldwide until shortly before her death.
Sister Rosalie authored two books, No Immediate Danger (1985)
and Planet Earth: The Latest Weapon of War (2000) ) and more
than a hundred articles. She was named to the Global 500 Roll
of Honour 1993 (United Nations Environment Programme), and
was the recipient of the Right Livelihood Award, December, 1986.
Among other accolades, Sister Rosalie received numerous
honorary doctorates in recognition of her scholarly and
professional work and her efforts as a social justice advocate.
Born and educated in Buffalo, New York, she earned her BA in
Math/Physics/Education from D’Youville College. She was in
the Buffalo Carmelite Community 1951-1956, leaving for health
reasons. Before entering the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart in
1958, she served on the faculty of Catholic University,
Washington, DC for a year.
From Catholic University, she received a Masters in
Mathematics/Philosophy and a Doctorate in
Mathematics/Biology/ Biometrics.
Sister Rosalie was in administration and on the faculty of Sacred
Heart Junior College in Yardley, PA for ten years. She taught at
D’Youville Academy in Chamblee, GA and was an Associate
Professor of Mathematics for four years at D’Youville College.
In addition to her religious family, Sister Rosalie is survived by
nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made
to the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, 1750 Quarry Rd., Yardley,
PA 19067-3998.
Wake Service was at 7 PM on Sunday, June 17 and the funeral
Mass was at 10 AM on Monday, June 18 in Sacred Heart Chapel
at the Grey Nuns’ Motherhouse in Yardley, PA.
Burial was in Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem, PA.
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