Rosemarie Githens and her husband, Bill Githens, were assigned to head up the logistics unit when St. John Vianney Parish was raising funds for the parish hall. Photo courtesy of Rosemarie Githens

GOLD RIVER, CA (MPG) – Rosemarie Githens was awarded “Woman of the Year” by the Sacramento Diocesan Council of Catholic Women after being nominated locally by both Court No. 1890 and Court No. 2392.

Githens joined The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Our Lady of the Visitation No. 1890 in October 1978 to drive her mother’s carpool to meetings. Githens was a working mother of four and attending college but she soon accepted the vote for vice regent and followed as regent.

Theresa Neuburger was instrumental in establishing Our Lady of the Visitation Court No. 1890

In 1981, Bishop Quinn requested “a visible woman” from St. John Vianney Parish to assist in a Diocesan Fundraiser. Githens was appointed by Pastor Michael McKeon. This Diocesan goal was accomplished in three months.

When St. John Vianney was raising funds for the parish hall, Githens and her husband, Bill Githens, were assigned to head up the logistics unit. Githens spent many hours supervising the call center, which contacted all 1,500 families in the parish to participate by donating to the building fund. 

The Catholic Daughter Court Our Lady of Wisdom No. 2392 in Rancho Cordova was instituted in 1994. Githens transferred, becoming a charter member. She and Mary Boyd wrote the first Standing Operating Procedures and has been instrumental in assisting in the updates. Under her leadership, the court has received many state awards, including Project Handclasp, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy for donating more than 2,000 pounds of clothing and several pedal sewing machines for Third World countries; Quality of Life Project and an increase in membership.

An education contest was held with many local schools participating. One of these submissions was awarded the second prize statewide. Locally, Githens has also served on many committees, including membership chair from 1999 to 2016, growing the court’s number from approximately 38 to 73. She has been a delegate to many state conventions and to several national conventions.

After visiting the Revolutionary and Civil War sites in 2002, Githens’ passion caused her to initiate a Parish Monthly Rosary for all who have served the country. The Rosary has continued for 23 years.

State Regent, Dottie Parillo, asked Githens to become state membership co-chair for an area that Parillo deemed a “hard nut to crack,” such as Northern California. Githens devised a plan and contacted most of the parishes in the northern dioceses.  She developed a membership folder for all regents in this area. Githens assisted June Brown, state membership chairperson, in writing a “New Officer Training” pamphlet. At the 2012 convention, Githens also assisted in the presentation of the “Membership Begins with Me” Booklet. 

Rosemarie Githens (left) poses with Michelle Eck, the California state treasurer of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas during its catholic convention. Photo courtesy of Rosemarie Githens

In 2016, Githens was required by her doctor to forgo all work of any kind. These orders were followed until April 2023, when her court was in danger of being disbanded; there were only a few active members out of the 28 remaining. When a letter from Sylvia Soliz, state treasurer, arrived requesting all members to attend, Githens took the call to heart.

A request was made to allow Court No. 2392 to try to increase membership. Letters were written and personal contacts became an on-going venture. A membership drive was held in June 2023 and another membership drive in October 2024. There are now 41 members with several more interested women.

The Githens’ have also been chairmen of four St. John Vianney Fall Festivals. Bill Githens wrote, directed and was pianist for six musical reviews, including “Playin’ Favorites.” The income was given to the parish. The choir which he directs also includes four Catholic Daughters.

A Catholic Daughter fundraising event, “100 Years of Popular Music”, was held, written, directed, and had a piano accompaniment played by Bill. Many Catholic Daughters were involved in singing as well as cooking the lasagna dinner. Githens was right there, cooking and singing.  And eating.

Over the years, Githens has served on the Parish Finance Committee, the Parish Liturgy Committee and as Parish Council president. She is presently an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and Lector, and a choir member. In her court, Githens serves as membership chair, circle of love chair (has made an informational packet) and spiritual chair.

Being awarded “Woman of the Year” by the Sacramento Diocesan Council of Catholic Women for Northern California, Githens said, “was a complete surprise” and her highest Catholic Daughters of the Americas award.

After 35 years of state service, Githens retired as a treasury program officer and after retirement, as her “fun job,” worked an additional 24 years for a professional tax firm, teaching and rising to Senior Tax Advisor V.  After retiring, Githens wanted to help others so “volunteering tax services for the AARP was a natural decision.”

For fun, singing with the Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento for seven years is near the top of Githens’ list. Also on top of the list is time spent with the Githens grandchildren in addition to traveling to 12 countries and all but one of the states in this country.

At home, Githens spends many hours working with yarn, miniatures, family photographs, ceramics and reading. On the bucket list is finishing her book. Most importantly and a must for continuing health, Githens works with Ryan White, her personal trainer of 14 years at his gym.

Githens is proud to be the District Deputy for Court Sacramento No. 172.  At age 91, Githens’ proudest moment after being a wife, mother of four, grandmother of four and great grandmother of seven is being a Catholic Daughter for 47 years.