Rosemary Smith

Rosemary A. Smith

January 1, 1923 ~ January 1, 2017

It is with saddened hearts that we announce the passing of Rosemary A. Smith on Sunday, January 1, 2017 – her 94th birthday.  Rosemary was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the oldest daughter of Henry and Aurelia Roettgers.

Rosemary graduated from Holy Angels High School in Milwaukee. She was an accomplished violinist and was assigned first chair during her high school years.  She graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Accounting.  She was one of five women enrolled who graduated in this field.  After graduation she worked for her dad at Roettgers Coal and Oil as an accountant.

She met the love of her life, William T. Smith, Jr., in high school and they dated until they married August 17, 1946.  World War II kept them apart as “Bill” was a pilot who was assigned to the European Front – primarily Italy.  After the war Rosemary joined him in Europe and the two of them had many stories to share about their adventures abroad.

Thanks to the Air Force, Bill and Rosemary were transferred to many different U.S. bases as well as Tachikawa, Japan.  Rosemary’s fondest memories were living in Japan and in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.

Rosemary was an active woman taking cooking classes, learning how to oil paint and traveling all over the world with Bill after he retired.  Rosemary was known for her cooking and was continually recruited for her skills when potluck dinners were planned.  She did volunteer work as a “Grey Lady” in the various hospitals where they were stationed as well as in the various base Thrift Shops.

Rosemary and Bill were ardent Catholics.  Rosemary attended masses at Bob Hope Village in Florida until she moved to Utah in August to be closer to her daughter.  She then became a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.  She resided at Harrison Regent Independent Living and made several good friends there.  The staff at the Harrison Regent were warm, welcoming and took great care of her.

Rosemary is survived by her daughter, Kathleen (Ron) Thornburg; daughter-in-law, Dolores Smith; and four grandchildren, Ryan Thornburg, Bryan Thornburg, Christina Daniels and William T. Smith, IV, and one great-grandchild, Augustina Daniels.

Rosemary has one sibling, Dolores Regan, who resides in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin.   Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband, William, on October 8, 2012, and by her son, William T. Smith III, on July 17, 2013 – his birthday.

Rosemary lived a full and adventurous life.  She was kind, caring and had a poignant sense of humor.  Her gentle self will be missed.

A Mass in Celebration of Her Life will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Holy Family Catholic Church, 1100 East 5550 South, South Ogden.  Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers please donate to a Catholic charity of your choice.