Sr. Rosemary Ferguson, OP, formerly Mother Laurence Edward Ferguson, died April 17 at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 92 and in her 74th year in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Sr. Ferguson served as prioress of the congregation during the pivotal post-Vatican II years, from 1968-78, when religious life in the United States underwent a transformative renewal.

Sr. Ferguson was born in Spalding, Neb., to William and Mary (Sullivan) Ferguson. She earned degrees from Barry College (University) in Miami Shores, Fla., Loyola University in Chicago and Aquinas Theological Institute in Dubuque, Iowa.

Sr. Ferguson spent 17 years ministering in education in Michigan, Illinois and Florida, including at St. Edward and Visitation, both in Detroit (1945). She also served the congregation for 17 years: four years as assistant director of postulants; three years as director of novices, and 10 years as prioress. She later served in pastoral care and hospital chaplaincy for many years in Kansas City and Duluth, Minn.

During her 10 years as prioress, Sr. Ferguson and her General Council implemented the far-reaching acts of the “General Chapter of Renewal,” a legislative gathering of the congregation convened by decree of the Second Vatican Council for the purpose of reviewing and renewing religious life.

At the 1974 General Chapter, when Sr. Ferguson was elected to serve a second term, the congregation adopted an “option for the poor,” emphasizing the pursuit of social justice as an essential element of the Congregation’s Gospel commitment.

As a member of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Sr. Ferguson chaired the Michigan and Indiana regional group and served on the LCWR liaison committees with the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men. She also served as chair of the Dominican Leadership Conference, a national association comprised of leaders of U.S. congregations of Dominicans.

A funeral Mass was offered in St. Catherine Chapel in Adrian on April 23. Rite of Committal was to be in the Congregation cemetery.