Catholic woman leads in many organizations

Intermountain Catholic

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Rosalie Mirabelli (second from left) accepts the position of vice president for the Salt Lake Council of Women at the organization's general meeting May 7. IC photo/Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — Rosalie Mirabelli was sworn into the position of vice president for the Salt Lake Council of Women May 7. The purpose of the council is to take an active interest in community affairs and to promote the general welfare of communities along the Wasatch Front.

Mirabelli, a life-long member of Saint Ambrose Parish, has been a member of the Salt Lake Council of Women for 15 years. Her VP duties will include the role of membership and chairing the annual spring luncheon fundraiser. Proceeds assist organizations affiliated with the Salt Lake Council of Women such as the YWCA, the Catholic Woman’s League, the Italian-American Civic League and the Road Home.

After Mirabelli joined the council she started getting involved with various committees, she said. "Now I’m an officer and it’s really a privilege. I have chaired various committees such as raising funds for the YWCA, Utah Youth Village and I’ve also visited patients in the University of Utah psychiatric ward. I invited my son, Luke, to play the piano, I’ve played the guitar and we’ve read to them and socialized with them."

Mirabelli became associated with the Salt Lake Council of Woman while serving on its board as an affiliate through the Catholic Woman’s League and the Italian-American Civic League. She has held many offices in both organizations.

"I became a member of the Italian-American Civic League after getting my driver’s license at 16," Mirabelli said. "I would drive my mother to the meetings. Both of my parents were immigrants from Cosensa, Italy in the Calabria region."

For 22 years, Mirabelli also has been a member of Beta Sigma Phi, an international women’s social, cultural and service organization. "I am currently the corresponding secretary," she said adding that it’s the only position she hasn’t held at least three times.

Mirabelli will also serve the next two years as second vice-president of the diocese’s Salt Lake Deanery.

"Holding offices in these various women’s organizations is a great opportunity to help other women grow individually and spiritually," said Mirabelli. "I am a pretty outgoing person and I like bringing women together to teach them leadership skills and getting them involved in service projects. We all need friends and I like sharing my thoughts and words with women."

Mirabelli was raised in Salt Lake City in a strong Catholic family and learned from her parents how to help those in need, she said. "My mother was a member of the Catholic Woman’s League and attended all the Beta Sigma Phi functions."

Mirabelli graduated from the University of Utah and has taught intellectually challenged children at Highland Park Elementary School in Salt Lake City for 20 years. "The special needs kids are so loving and they always want to please you," she said.

She also taught sixth grade at Kearns-Saint Ann School for two years; before teaching, she worked as a registered dietician.

Mirabelli’s son Luke is attending Loyola University in Chicago and her daughter Guilia will graduate from the University of Utah this year.

"What I love about Rosalie is having her as a friend; her enthusiasm is inspiring," said Janet Geyser, Salt Lake Council of Women president. "I met her through my fundraising committee and I was so pleased she wanted to get involved right away."

Judi Allan met Mirabelli through Beta Sigma Phi 20 years ago. "Rosalie is always the first one to volunteer to help and I’ve never seen her without a smile; she has a smile in her voice," said Allan, a past president of the Salt Lake Council of Women. "She has the ability to make others feel special. She has the ability to love; she is a loving mother, daughter and sister."