Rose-Mary: A History

Sister Candice Joyce lovingly carries a young boy through the halls of Rose-Mary.

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Catholic Social Teaching states that every person is precious and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of a human person. It is because of this conviction, that Rose-Mary committed itself to serving individuals with special needs.

Caesar Grasselli, a successful industrial leader in post-Civil War era Cleveland, lived with his children and wife, Johanna, during the warm months at their summer home on Euclid Avenue in view of the Great Lake. Johanna had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and it was in her honor that she maintained a large garden of roses on the property.   When Johanna died, Caesar, unable to return to the once happy place, donated the property to the Catholic Church.

Because childhood polio was rampant at this time and there was need for alternative care and housing for young victims of the disease, Bishop Schrembs requested that the property become home for the growing number of afflicted children in need.  He named the Sisters of the Humility of Mary to direct its operations. 

On October 15, 1922 the Rose-Mary Center, named in honor of Johanna Grasselli’s devotions, opened its doors to serve the most vulnerable of children.

By 1967, Polio had been eradicated in the United States, and Rose-Mary’s mission evolved to serving children with various developmental disabilities.  As time passed, Rose-Mary expanded its facility to meet the increasing needs of comprehensive services for the habilitation of children and young adults with behavior disorders as well as developmental disabilities.  Rose-Mary Center became a leader in disability services and helped to transform the kind of care individuals received. Rose-Mary was one of the first centers in the country to offer a structured day of personal growth and development driven by informal learning, recreational activities, and individual habilitation plans.

In 1989, their mission grew to include adults with disabilities. The first Rose-Mary community group home for adults opened later that year.  

Over the past 93 years, Rose-Mary has grown and adapted, always keeping our belief that every person is a precious child of God at the core of all we do. Today, 36 children and young adults live in the original Johanna Grasselli Rehabilitation and Education Center, and 59 adults reside in nine community group homes throughout Cuyahoga County.

Rose-Mary also operates an eight-week summer camp for children who live at Rose-Mary and within the community, as well as a year-round vocational center that focuses on developing individuals’ interests, talents, and strengths to prepare for potential community employment. Respite services are available for families within the community who have loved ones with disabilities living at home.

Rose-Mary continues the ministry of Jesus Christ by nurturing individuals with disabilities and celebrating love, family, dignity, and faith within the community Learn more at www.rose-marycenter.com.