Ruby Rose was born February 11, 1892, the daughter of Austin and Mary Oelze Pate of Hardinsburg, Ky. She entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph when she was 19 years old. On November 21, 1912, following a 16-month postulancy, Ruby received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Josephine.
Sister Josephine’s first teaching assignment was at St. Alphonsus School across the road from Mount Saint Joseph Academy. After that she taught in both the public and parochial schools in Kentucky. Sister Josephine was often teacher and principal in some of these schools. Ten years of her teaching apostolate were spent in Nebraska City, Neb., at St. Bernard Academy Other years saw her teaching at Mount Saint Joseph Academy and Mount Saint Joseph Junior College, and then at Brescia College in Owensboro. Her 15 years’ presence at Brescia College contributed much to its success in the trying and formative years. This was due to Sister Josephine’s teaching and her manual labors. Beautifying the campus was her responsibility as was the purchasing of supplies and other needed items. She also played a key role in building construction.
In 1962, Sister Josephine retired from active duty and returned to Mount Saint Joseph. Death came to her on July 21, 1967, and three days later her Requiem Mass was offered by Msgr. Albert Thompson, former MSJ chaplain. Also present was her nephew, Father Leo Sheeran. Sister Josephine was buried in the convent cemetery.