Among the plaques that line the Science and Technology hallway recognizing various faculty and staff members, Betty Rosenow’s stands out because of the many years she has dedicated to the BSM community. Rosenow worked Benilde-St. Margaret’s for fifty years as of last fall. As it would turn out, Betty’s fiftieth year at Benilde-St. Margaret’s would be her last, as the eighty-five year old died on May 14.
Betty—who worked in the kitchens—was a vital part of the BSM community, acting as a friend and mother figure to countless students throughout the years. “She really loved the kids, and she’d always be able to remember the alumni that came back to visit, even if it had been many years,” said Taher employee, Brenda Cooney.
Betty not only had a special place in her heart for the students, but for the staff as well. She had a particularly special relationship with staff member Doris, who passed away earlier this year. “You can’t really talk about one without mentioning the other. They were best friends. Every day, they would take time to sit down in the Commons, drink coffee, split a donut together, and talk,” said BSM president, Dr. Bob Tift.
Despite being in her eighties, Betty always worked with the vigor of someone much younger. “With Betty, it was really mind over body. I definitely think that all of the kids kept her young,” said Cooney.
In Betty’s fifty years, she brought light and warmth to the school. “Betty added so much value to the BSM community. I remember after she and Doris worked here for thirty-some years, I decided to take them out for lunch. During the lunch, it came to light that they thought they were getting fired. They said, ‘We’ve dedicated our whole life to this school. That’s pretty good for a couple of Lutheran girls,’” said Tift.
The loss of Betty is going to have a huge impact on the school; an impact felt by both students and staff alike. “For the kids, who didn’t get to know her that well, it won’t be that much of a change. But to those of us who knew her really well, the school is going to feel kind of empty,” said Tift.
